Human protein phosphatase 2C

ABSTRACT

The invention provides human kinases and phosphatases (KAP) and polnucleotides which identify and encode KAP. The invention also provides expresson vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of KAP.

This application is a national stage under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of international application PCT/US01/47431, filed on Dec. 4, 2001 and published in English as WO 02/46384 on Jun. 13, 2002; which claims the benefit of provisional applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/254,034, filed on Dec. 6, 2000; 60/251,814, filed on Dec. 7, 2000; 60/255,756, filed on Dec. 14, 2000; 60/256,172, filed on Dec. 15, 2000; 60/257,416, filed on Dec. 22, 2000; 60/260,912, filed on Jan. 10, 2001; 60/264,644, filed on Jan. 26, 2001; and 60/266,017, filed on Feb. 2, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of kinases and phosphatases and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders, neurological disorders, disorders affecting growth and development, lipid disorders, cell proliferative disorders, and cancers, and in the assessment of the effects of exogenous compounds on the expression of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of kinases and phosphatases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reversible protein phosphorylation is the ubiquitous strategy used to control many of the intracellular events in eukaryotic cells. It is estimated that more than ten percent of proteins active in a typical mammalian cell are phosphorylated. Kinases catalyze the transfer of high-energy phosphate groups from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to target proteins on the hydroxyamino acid residues serine, threonine, or tyrosine. Phosphatases, in contrast, remove these phosphate groups. Extracellular signals including hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth and differentiation factors can activate kinases, which can occur as cell surface receptors or as the activator of the final effector protein, as well as other locations along the signal transduction pathway. Cascades of kinases occur, as well as kinases sensitive to second messenger molecules. This system allows for the amplification of weak signals (low abundance growth factor molecules, for example), as well as the synthesis of many weak signals into an all-or-nothing response. Phosphatases, then, are essential in determining the extent of phosphorylation in the cell and, together with kinases, regulate key cellular processes such as metabolic enzyme activity, proliferation, cell growth and differentiation, cell adhesion, and cell cycle progression.

Kinases

Kinases comprise the largest known enzyme superfamily and vary widely in their target molecules. Kinases catalyze the transfer of high energy phosphate groups from a phosphate donor to a phosphate acceptor. Nucleotides usually serve as the phosphate donor in these reactions, with most kinases utilizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The phosphate acceptor can be any of a variety of molecules, including nucleosides, nucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Proteins are phosphorylated on hydroxyamino acids. Addition of a phosphate group alters the local charge on the acceptor molecule, causing internal conformational changes and potentially influencing intermolecular contacts. Reversible protein phosphorylation is the primary method for regulating protein activity in eukaryotic cells. In general, proteins are activated by phosphorylation in response to extracellular signals such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth and differentiation factors. The activated proteins initiate the cell's intracellular response by way of intracellular signaling pathways and second messenger molecules such as cyclic nucleotides, calcium-calmodulin, inositol, and various mitogens, that regulate protein phosphorylation.

Kinases are involved in all aspects of a cell's function, from basic metabolic processes, such as glycolysis, to cell-cycle regulation, differentiation, and communication with the extracellular environment through signal transduction cascades. Inappropriate phosphorylation of proteins in cells has been linked to changes in cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. Changes in the cell cycle have been linked to induction of apoptosis or cancer. Changes in cell differentiation have been linked to diseases and disorders of the reproductive system, immune system, and skeletal muscle.

There are two classes of protein kinases. One class, protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), phosphorylates tyrosine residues, and the other class, protein serine/threonine kinases (STKs), phosphorylates serine and threonine residues. Some PTKs and STKs possess structural characteristics of both families and have dual specificity for both tyrosine and serine/threonine residues. Almost all kinases contain a conserved 250–300 amino acid catalytic domain containing specific residues and sequence motifs characteristic of the kinase family. The protein kinase catalytic domain can be further divided into 11 subdomains. N-terminal subdomains I–IV fold into a two-lobed structure which binds and orients the ATP donor molecule, and subdomain V spans the two lobes. C-terminal subdomains VI–XI bind the protein substrate and transfer the gamma phosphate from ATP to the hydroxyl group of a tyrosine, serine, or threonine residue. Each of the 11 subdomains contains specific catalytic residues or amino acid motifs characteristic of that subdomain. For example, subdomain I contains an 8-amino acid glycine-rich ATP binding consensus motif, subdomain II contains a critical lysine residue required for maximal catalytic activity, and subdomains VI through IX comprise the highly conserved catalytic core. PTKs and STKs also contain distinct sequence motifs in subdomains VI and VIII which may confer hydroxyamino acid specificity.

In addition, kinases may also be classified by additional amino acid sequences, generally between 5 and 100 residues, which either flank or occur within the kinase domain. These additional amino acid sequences regulate kinase activity and determine substrate specificity. (Reviewed in Hardie, G. and S. Hanks (1995) The Protein Kinase Facts Book, Vol I, pp. 17–20 Academic Press, San Diego Calif.). In particular, two protein kinase signature sequences have been identified in the kinase domain, the first containing an active site lysine residue involved in ATP binding, and the second containing an aspartate residue important for catalytic activity. If a protein analyzed includes the two protein kinase signatures, the probability of that protein being a protein kinase is close to 100% (PROSITE: PDOC00100, November 1995).

Protein Tyrosine Kinases

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) may be classified as either transmembrane, receptor PTKs or nontransmembrane, nonreceptor PTK proteins. Transmembrane tyrosine kinases function as receptors for most growth factors. Growth factors bind to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), which causes the receptor to phosphorylate itself (autophosphorylation) and specific intracellular second messenger proteins. Growth factors (GF) that associate with receptor PTKs include epidermal GF, platelet-derived GP, fibroblast GF, hepatocyte GF, insulin and insulin-like GFs, nerve GF, vascular endothelial GF, and macrophage colony stimulating factor.

Nontransmembrane, nonreceptor PTKs lack transmembrane regions and, instead, form signaling complexes with the cytosolic domains of plasma membrane receptors. Receptors that function through non-receptor PTKs include those for cytokines and hormones (growth hormone and prolactin), and antigen-specific receptors on T and B lymphocytes.

Many PTKs were first identified as oncogene products in cancer cells in which PTK activation was no longer subject to normal cellular controls. In fact, about one third of the known oncogenes encode PTKS. Furthermore, cellular transformation (oncogenesis) is often accompanied by increased tyrosine phosphorylation activity (Charbonneau, H. and N. K. Tonks (1992) Annu. Rev. Cell Biol. 8:463–493). Regulation of PTK activity may therefore be an important strategy in controlling some types of cancer.

Protein Serine/Threonine Kinases

Protein serine/threonine kinases (STKs) are nontransmembrane proteins. A subclass of STKs are known as ERKs (extracellular signal regulated kinases) or MAPs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) and are activated after cell stimulation by a variety of hormones and growth factors. Cell stimulation induces a signaling cascade leading to phosphorylation of MEK (MAP/ERK kinase) which, in turn, activates ERK via serine and threonine phosphorylation. A varied number of proteins represent the downstream effectors for the active ERK and implicate it in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as regulation of the cytoskeleton. Activation of ERK is normally transient, and cells possess dual specificity phosphatases that are responsible for its down-regulation. Also, numerous studies have shown that elevated ERK activity is associated with some cancers. Other STKs include the second messenger dependent protein kinases such as the cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinases (PKA), calcium-calmodulin (CaM) dependent protein kinases, and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP); the cyclin-dependent protein kinases; checkpoint and cell cycle kinases; Numb-associated kinase (Nak); human Fused (hFu); proliferation-related kinases; 5′-AMP-activated protein kinases; and kinases involved in apoptosis.

One member of the ERK family of MAP kinases, ERK 7, is a novel 61-kDa protein that has motif similarities to ERK1 and ERK2, but is not activated by extracellular stimuli as are ERK1 and ERK2 nor by the common activators, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase. ERK7 regulates its nuclear localization and inhibition of growth through its C-terminal tail, not through the kinase domain as is typical with other MAP kinases (Abe, M. K. (1999) Mol. Cell. Biol. 19:1301–1312).

The second messenger dependent protein kinases primarily mediate the effects of second messengers such as cyclic AMP (cAMP), cyclic GMP, inositol triphosphate, phosphatidylinositol, 3,4,5-triphosphate, cyclic ADP ribose, arachidonic acid, diacylglycerol and calcium-calmodulin. The PKAs are involved in mediating hormone-induced cellular responses and are activated by cAMP produced within the cell in response to hormone stimulation. cAMP is an intracellular mediator of hormone action in all animal cells that have been studied. Hormone-induced cellular responses include thyroid hormone secretion, cortisol secretion, progesterone secretion, glycogen breakdown, bone resorption, and regulation of heart rate and force of heart muscle contraction. PKA is found in all animal cells and is thought to account for the effects of cAMP in most of these cells. Altered PKA expression is implicated in a variety of disorders and diseases including cancer, thyroid disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (Isselbacher, K. J. et al. (1994) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, New York N.Y., pp. 416–431, 1887).

The casein kinase I (CKI) gene family is another subfamily of serine/threonine protein kinases. This continuously expanding group of kinases have been implicated in the regulation of numerous cytoplasmic and nuclear processes, including cell metabolism and DNA replication, and repair. CKI enzymes are present in the membranes, nucleus, cytoplasm and cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells, and on the mitotic spindles of mammalian cells (Fish, K. J. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:14875–14883).

The CKI family members all have a short amino-terminal domain of 9–76 amino acids, a highly conserved kinase domain of 284 amino acids, and a variable carboxyl-terminal domain that ranges from 24 to over 200 amino acids in length (Cegielska, A. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:1357–1364). The CKI family is comprised of highly related proteins, as seen by the identification of isoforms of casein kinase I from a variety of sources. There are at least five mammalian isoforms, α, β, γ, δ, and ε. Fish et al. identified CKI-epsilon from a human placenta cDNA library. It is a basic protein of 416 amino acids and is closest to CKI-delta. Through recombinant expression, it was determined to phosphorylate known CKI substrates and was inhibited by the CKI-specific inhibitor CKI-7. The human gene for CKI-epsilon was able to rescue yeast with a slow-growth phenotype caused by deletion of the yeast CKI locus, HRR250 (Fish et al., supra).

The mammalian circadian mutation tau was found to be a semidominant autosomal allele of CKI-epsilon that markedly shortens period length of circadian rhythms in Syrian hamsters. The tau locus is encoded by casein kinase I-epsilon, which is also a homolog of the Drosophila circadian gene double-time. Studies of both the wildtype and tau mutant CKI-epsilon enzyme indicated that the mutant enzyme has a noticeable reduction in the maximum velocity and autophosphorylation state. Further, in vitro, CKI-epsilon is able to interact with mammalian PERIOD proteins, while the mutant enzyme is deficient in its ability to phosphorylate PERIOD. Lowrey et al. have proposed that CKI-epsilon plays a major role in delaying the negative feedback signal within the transcription-translation-based autoregulatory loop that composes the core of the circadian mechanism. Therefore the CKI-epsilon enzyme is an ideal target for pharmaceutical compounds influencing circadian rhythms, jet-lag and sleep, in addition to other physiologic and metabolic processes under circadian regulation (Lowrey, P. L. et al. (2000) Science 288:483–491).

Calcium-Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinases

Calcium-calmodulin dependent (CaM) kinases are involved in regulation of smooth muscle contraction, glycogen breakdown (phosphorylase kinase), and neurotransmission (CaM kinase I and CaM kinase II). CaM dependent protein kinases are activated by calmodulin, an intracellular calcium receptor, in response to the concentration of free calcium in the cell. Many CaM kinases are also activated by phosphorylation. Some CaM kinases are also activated by autophosphorylation or by other regulatory kinases. CaM kinase I phosphorylates a variety of substrates including the neurotransmitter-related proteins synapsin I and II, the gene transcription regulator, CREB, and the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator protein, CFTR (Haribabu, B. et al. (1995) EMBO J. 14:3679–3686). CaM kinase II also phosphorylates synapsin at different sites and controls the synthesis of catecholamines in the brain through phosphorylation and activation of tyrosine hydroxylase. CaM kinase II controls the synthesis of catecholamines and seratonin, through phosphorylation/activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase, respectively (Fujisawa, H. (1990) BioEssays 12:27–29). The mRNA encoding a calmodulin-binding protein kinase-like protein was found to be enriched in mammalian forebrain. This protein is associated with vesicles in both axons and dendrites and accumulates largely postnatally. The amino acid sequence of this protein is similar to CaM-dependent STKs, and the protein binds calmodulin in the presence of calcium (Godbout, M. et al. (1994) J. Neurosci. 14:1–13).

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (HIPKs) are serine/threonine kinases and novel members of the DYRK kinase subfamily (Hofmann, T. G. et al. (2000) Biochimie 82:1123–1127). HIPKs contain a conserved protein kinase domain separated from a domain that interacts with homeoproteins. HIPKs are nuclear kinases, and HIPK2 is highly expressed in neuronal tissue (Kim, Y. H. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:25875–25879; Wang, Y. et al. (2001) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1518:168–172). HIPKs act as corepressors for homeodomian transcription factors. This corepressor activity is seen in posttranslational modifications such as ubiquitination and phosphorylation, each of which are important in the regulation of cellular protein function (Kim, Y. H. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:12350–12355).

The human h-warts protein, a homolog of Drosophila warts tumor suppressor gene, maps to chromosome 6q24-25.1. It has a serine/threonine kinase domain and is localized to centrosomes in interphase cells. It is involved in mitosis and functions as a component of the mitotic apparatus (Nishiyama, Y. et al. (1999) FEBS Lett. 459:159–165).

Calcium-Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinases

Calcium-calmodulin dependent (CaM) kinases are involved in regulation of smooth muscle contraction, glycogen breakdown (phosphorylase kinase), and neurotransmission (CaM kinase I and CaM kinase II). CaM dependent protein kinases are activated by calmodulin, an intracellular calcium receptor, in response to the concentration of free calcium in the cell. Many CaM kinases are also activated by phosphorylation. Some CaM kinases are also activated by autophosphorylation or by other regulatory kinases. CaM kinase I phosphorylates a variety of substrates including the neurotransmitter-related proteins synapsin I and II, the gene transcription regulator, CREB, and the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator protein, CFTR (Haribabu, B. et al. (1995) EMBO J. 14:3679–3686). CaM kinase II also phosphorylates synapsin at different sites and controls the synthesis of catecholamines in the brain through phosphorylation and activation of tyrosine hydroxylase. CaM kinase II controls the synthesis of catecholamines and seratonin, through phosphorylation/activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase, respectively (Fujisawa, H. (1990) BioEssays 12:27–29). The mRNA encoding a calmodulin-binding protein kinase-like protein was found to be enriched in mammalian forebrain. This protein is associated with vesicles in both axons and dendrites and accumulates largely postnatally. The amino acid sequence of this protein is similar to CaM-dependent STKs, and the protein binds calmodulin in the presence of calcium (Godbout, M. et al. (1994) J. Neurosci. 14:1–13).

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP), which mediate signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus via phosphorylation cascades, are another STK family that regulates intracellular signaling pathways. Several subgroups have been identified, and each manifests different substrate specificities and responds to distinct extracellular stimuli (Egan, S. E. and R. A. Weinberg (1993) Nature 365:781–783). There are three kinase modules comprising the MAP kinase cascade: MAPK (MAP), MAPK kinase (MAP2K, MAPKK, or MKK), and MKK kinase (MAP3K, MAPKKK, OR MEKK) (Wang, X. S. et al (1998) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 253:33–37). The extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is activated by growth factors and mitogens, for example, epidermal growth factor (EGF), ultraviolet light, hyperosmolar medium, heat shock, or endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The closely related though distinct parallel pathways, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), or stress-activated kinase (SAPK) pathway, and the p38 kinase pathway are activated by stress stimuli and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Altered MAP kinase expression is implicated in a variety of disease conditions including cancer, inflammation, immune disorders, and disorders affecting growth and development. MAP kinase signaling pathways are present in mammalian cells as well as in yeast.

The family of p21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) appear to be present in all organisms that have Cdc42-like GTPases. In mammalian cells, PAKs have been implicated in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. PAK functions also include the dissolution of cytoskeletal stress fibers and reorganization of focal complexes (Manser, E. et al. (1997) Mol. Cell Biol. 17(3):1129–1143).

Cyclin-Dependent Protein Kinases

The cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) are STKs that control the progression of cells through the cell cycle. The entry and exit of a cell from mitosis are regulated by the synthesis and destruction of a family of activating proteins called cyclins. Cyclins are small regulatory proteins that bind to and activate CDKs, which then phosphorylate and activate selected proteins involved in the mitotic process. CDKs are unique in that they require multiple inputs to become activated. In addition to cyclin binding, CDK activation requires the phosphorylation of a specific threonine residue and the dephosphorylation of a specific tyrosine residue on the CDK.

Another family of STKs associated with the cell cycle are the NIMA (never in mitosis)-related kinases (Neks). Both CDKs and Neks are involved in duplication, maturation, and separation of the microtubule organizing center, the centrosome, in animal cells (Fry, A. M. et al. (1998) EMBO J. 17:470–481).

Checkpoint and Cell Cycle Kinases

In the process of cell division, the order and timing of cell cycle transitions are under control of cell cycle checkpoints, which ensure that critical events such as DNA replication and chromosome segregation are carried out with precision. If DNA is damaged, e.g. by radiation, a checkpoint pathway is activated that arrests the cell cycle to provide time for repair. If the damage is extensive, apoptosis is induced. In the absence of such checkpoints, the damaged DNA is inherited by aberrant cells which may cause proliferative disorders such as cancer. Protein kinases play an important role in this process. For example, a specific kinase, checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), has been identified in yeast and mammals, and is activated by DNA damage in yeast. Activation of Chk1 leads to the arrest of the cell at the G2/M transition (Sanchez, Y. et al. (1997) Science 277:1497–1501). Specifically, Chk1 phosphorylates the cell division cycle phosphatase CDC25, inhibiting its normal function which is to dephosphorylate and activate the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc2. Cdc2 activation controls the entry of cells into mitosis (Peng, C.-Y. et al. (1997) Science 277:1501–1505). Thus, activation of Chk1 prevents the damaged cell from entering mitosis. A deficiency in a checkpoint kinase, such as Chk1, may also contribute to cancer by failure to arrest cells with damaged DNA at other checkpoints such as G2/M.

Proliferation-Related Kinases

Proliferation-related kinase is a serum/cytokine inducible STK that is involved in regulation of the cell cycle and cell proliferation in human megakarocytic cells (Li, B. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem 271:19402–19408). Proliferation-related kinase is related to the polo (derived from Drosophila polo gene) family of STKs implicated in cell division. Proliferation-related kinase is downregulated in lung tumor tissue and may be a proto-oncogene whose deregulated expression in normal tissue leads to oncogenic transformation.

5′-AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

A ligand-activated STK protein kinase is 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Gao, G. et al. (1996) J. Biol Chem. 271:8675–8681). Mammalian AMPK is a regulator of fatty acid and sterol synthesis through phosphorylation of the enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and mediates responses of these pathways to cellular stresses such as heat shock and depletion of glucose and ATP. AMPK is a heterotrimeric complex comprised of a catalytic alpha subunit and two non-catalytic beta and gamma subunits that are believed to regulate the activity of the alpha subunit. Subunits of AMPK have a much wider distribution in non-lipogenic tissues such as brain, heart, spleen, and lung than expected. This distribution suggests that its role may extend beyond regulation of lipid metabolism alone.

The RET (rearranged during transfection) proto-oncogene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in both multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, an inherited cancer syndrome, and Hirschsprung disease, a developmental defect of enteric neurons. RET and its functional ligand, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, play key roles in the development of the human enteric nervous system (Pachnis, V. et al. (1998) Am. J. Physiol. 275:G183-G186).

Kinases in Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a highly regulated signaling pathway leading to cell death that plays a crucial role in tissue development and homeostasis. Deregulation of this process is associated with the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Various STXs play key roles in this process. ZIP kinase is an STK containing a C-terminal leucine zipper domain in addition to its N-terminal protein kinase domain. This C-terminal domain appears to mediate homodimerization and activation of the kinase as well as interactions with transcription factors such as activating transcription factor, ATF4, a member of the cyclic-AMP responsive element binding protein (ATF/CREB) family of transcriptional factors (Sanjo, H. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:29066–29071). DRAK1 and DRAK2 are STKs that share homology with the death-associated protein kinases (DAP kinases), known to function in interferon-γ induced apoptosis (Sanjo et al., supra). Like ZIP kinase, DAP kinases contain a C-terminal protein-protein interaction domain, in the form of ankyrin repeats, in addition to the N-terminal kinase domain. ZIP, DAP, and DRAK kinases induce morphological changes associated with apoptosis when transfected into NIH3T3 cells (Sanjo et al., supra). However, deletion of either the N-terminal kinase catalytic domain or the C-terminal domain of these proteins abolishes apoptosis activity, indicating that in addition to the kinase activity, activity in the C-terminal domain is also necessary for apoptosis, possibly as an interacting domain with a regulator or a specific substrate.

RICK is another STK recently identified as mediating a specific apoptotic pathway involving the death receptor, CD95 (Inohara, N. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem 273:12296–12300). CD95 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and plays a critical role in the regulation and homeostasis of the immune system (Nagata, S. (1997) Cell 88:355–365). The CD95 receptor signaling pathway involves recruitment of various intracellular molecules to a receptor complex following ligand binding. This process includes recruitment of the cysteine protease caspase-8 which, in turn, activates a caspase cascade leading to cell death. RICK is composed of an N-terminal kinase catalytic domain and a C-terminal “caspase-recruitment” domain that interacts with caspase-like domains, indicating that RICK plays a role in the recruitment of caspase-8. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the expression of RICK in human 293T cells promotes activation of caspase-8 and potentiates the induction of apoptosis by various proteins involved in the CD95 apoptosis pathway (Inohara et al., supra).

Mitochondrial Protein Kinases

A novel class of eukaryotic kinases, related by sequence to prokaryotic histidine protein kinases, are the mitochondrial protein kinases (MPKs) which seem to have no sequence similarity with other eukaryotic protein kinases. These protein kinases are located exclusively in the mitochondrial matrix space and may have evolved from genes originally present in respiration-dependent bacteria which were endocytosed by primitive eukaryotic cells. MPKs are responsible for phosphorylation and inactivation of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes (Harris, R. A. et al. (1995) Adv. Enzyme Regul. 34:147–162). Five MPKs have been identified. Four members correspond to pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozymes, regulating the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, which is an important regulatory enzyme at the interface between glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. The fifth member corresponds to a branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, important in the regulation of the pathway for the disposal of branched-chain amino acids. (Harris, R. A. et al. (1997) Adv. Enzyme Regul. 37:271–293). Both starvation and the diabetic state are known to result in a great increase in the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in the liver, heart and muscle of the rat. This increase contributes in both disease states to the phosphorylation and inactivation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and conservation of pyruvate and lactate for gluconeogenesis (Harris (1995) supra).

Kinases with Non-Protein Substrates

Lipid and Inositol Kinases

Lipid kinases phosphorylate hydroxyl residues on lipid head groups. A family of kinases involved in phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) has been described, each member phosphorylating a specific carbon on the inositol ring (Leevers, S. J. et al. (1999) Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 11:219–225). The phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol is involved in activation of the protein kinase C signaling pathway. The inositol phospholipids (phosphoinositides) intracellular signaling pathway begins with binding of a signaling molecule to a G-protein linked receptor in the plasma membrane. This leads to the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) residues on the inner side of the plasma membrane by inositol kinases, thus converting PI residues to the biphosphate state (PIP₂). PIP₂ is then cleaved into inositol triphosphate (IP₃) and diacylglycerol. These two products act as mediators for separate signaling pathways. Cellular responses that are mediated by these pathways are glycogen breakdown in the liver in response to vasopressin, smooth muscle contraction in response to acetylcholine, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.

PI 3-kinase (PI3K), which phosphorylates the D3 position of PI and its derivatives, has a central role in growth factor signal cascades involved in cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism PI3K is a heterodimer consisting of an adapter subunit and a catalytic subunit. The adapter subunit acts as a scaffolding protein, interacting with specific tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, lipid moieties, and other cytosolic factors. When the adapter subunit binds tyrosine phosphorylated targets, such as the insulin responsive substrate (IRS)-1, the catalytic subunit is activated and converts PI (4,5) bisphosphate (PIP₂) to PI (3,4,5) P₃ (PIP₃). PIP₃ then activates a number of other proteins, including PKA, protein kinase B (PKB), protein kinase C (PKC), glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, and p70 ribosomal s6 kinase. PI3K also interacts directly with the cytoskeletal organizing proteins, Rac, rho, and cdc42 (Shepherd, P. R. et al. (1998) Biochem. J. 333:471–490). Animal models for diabetes, such as obese and fat mice, have altered PI3K adapter subunit levels. Specific mutations in the adapter subunit have also been found in an insulin-resistant Danish population, suggesting a role for PI3K in type-2 diabetes (Shepard, supra).

An example of lipid kinase phosphorylation activity is the phosphorylation of D-erythro-sphingosine to the sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP). SPP has emerged as a novel lipid second-messenger with both extracellular and intracellular actions (Kohama, T. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem 273:23722–23728). Extracellularly, SPP is a ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor EDG-1 (endothelial-derived, G-protein coupled receptor). Intracellularly, SPP regulates cell growth, survival, motility, and cytoskeletal changes. SPP levels are regulated by sphingosine kinases that specifically phosphorylate D-erythro-sphingosine to SPP. The importance of sphingosine kinase in cell signaling is indicated by the fact that various stimuli, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), nerve growth factor, and activation of protein kinase C, increase cellular levels of SPP by activation of sphingosine kinase, and the fact that competitive inhibitors of the enzyme selectively inhibit cell proliferation induced by PDGF (Kohama et al., supra).

PKC is also activated by diacylglycerol (DAG). Phorbol esters (PE) are analogs of DAG and tumor promoters that cause a variety of physiological changes when administered to cells and tissues. PE and DAG bind to the N-terminal region of PKC. This region contains one or more copies of a cysteine-rich domain about 50 amino-acid residues long and essential for DAG/PE-binding. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), the enzyme that converts DAG into phosphatidate, contains two copies of the DAG/PE-binding domain in its N-terminal section (Azzi, A. et al. (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 208:547–557).

An example of lipid kinase phosphorylation activity is the phosphorylation of D-erythro-sphingosine to the sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP). SPP has emerged as a novel lipid second-messenger with both extracellular and intracellular actions (Kohama, T. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem 273:23722–23728). Extracellularly, SPP is a ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor EDG-1 (endothelial-derived, G-protein coupled receptor). Intracellularly, SPP regulates cell growth, survival, motility, and cytoskeletal changes. SPP levels are regulated by sphingosine kinases that specifically phosphorylate D-erythro-sphingosine to SPP. The importance of sphingosine kinase in cell signaling is indicated by the fact that various stimuli, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), nerve growth factor, and activation of protein kinase C, increase cellular levels of SPP by activation of sphingosine kinase, and the fact that competitive inhibitors of the enzyme selectively inhibit cell proliferation induced by PDGF (Kohama et al. supra).

Purine Nucleotide Kinases

The purine nucleotide kinases, adenylate kinase (ATP:AMP phosphotransferase, or AdK) and guanylate kinase (ATP:GMP phosphotransferase, or GuK) play a key role in nucleotide metabolism and are crucial to the synthesis and regulation of cellular levels of ATP and GTP, respectively. These two molecules are precursors in DNA and RNA synthesis in growing cells and provide the primary source of biochemical energy in cells (ATP), and signal transduction pathways (GTP). Inhibition of various steps in the synthesis of these two molecules has been the basis of many antiproliferative drugs for cancer and antiviral therapy (Pillwein, K. et al. (1990) Cancer Res. 50:1576–1579).

AdK is found in almost all cell types and is especially abundant in cells having high rates of ATP synthesis and utilization such as skeletal muscle. In these cells AdK is physically associated with mitochondria and myofibrils, the subcellular structures that are involved in energy production and utilization, respectively. Recent studies have demonstrated a major function for AdK in transferring high energy phosphoryls from metabolic processes generating ATP to cellular components consuming ATP (Zeleznikar, R. J. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:7311–7319). Thus AdK may have a pivotal role in maintaining energy production in cells, particularly those having a high rate of growth or metabolism such as cancer cells, and may provide a target for suppression of its activity in order to treat certain cancers. Alternatively, reduced AdK activity may be a source of various metabolic, muscle-energy disorders that can result in cardiac or respiratory failure and may be treatable by increasing AdK activity.

GuK, in addition to providing a key step in the synthesis of GTP for RNA and DNA synthesis, also fulfills an essential function in signal transduction pathways of cells through the regulation of GDP and GTP. Specifically, GTP binding to membrane associated G proteins mediates the activation of cell receptors, subsequent intracellular activation of adenyl cyclase, and production of the second messenger, cyclic AMP. GDP binding to G proteins inhibits these processes. GDP and GTP levels also control the activity of certain oncogenic proteins such as p21^(ras) known to be involved in control of cell proliferation and oncogenesis (Bos, J. L. (1989) Cancer Res. 49:4682–4689). High ratios of GTP:GDP caused by suppression of GuK cause activation of p21^(ras) and promote oncogenesis. Increasing GuK activity to increase levels of GDP and reduce the GTP:GDP ratio may provide a therapeutic strategy to reverse oncogenesis.

GuK is an important enzyme in the phosphorylation and activation of certain antiviral drugs useful in the treatment of herpes virus infections. These drugs include the guanine homologs acyclovir and buciclovir (Miller, W. H. and R. L. Miller (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255:7204–7207; Stenberg, K. et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261:2134–2139). Increasing GuK activity in infected cells may provide a therapeutic strategy for augmenting the effectiveness of these drugs and possibly for reducing the necessary dosages of the drugs.

Pyrimidine Kinases

The pyrimidine kinases are deoxycytidine kinase and thymidine kinase 1 and 2. Deoxycytidine kinase is located in the nucleus, and thymidine kinase 1 and 2 are found in the cytosol (Johansson, M. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:11941–11945). Phosphorylation of deoxyribonucleosides by pyrimidine kinases provides an alternative pathway for de novo synthesis of DNA precursors. The role of pyrimidine kinases, like purine kinases, in phosphorylation is critical to the activation of several chemotherapeutically important nucleoside analogues (Armer E. S. and S. Eriksson (1995) Pharmacol. Ther. 67:155–186).

Phosphatases

Protein phosphatases are generally characterized as either serine/threonine- or tyrosine-specific based on their preferred phospho-amino acid substrate. However, some phosphatases (DSPs, for dual specificity phosphatases) can act on phosphorylated tyrosine, serine, or threonine residues. The protein serine/threonine phosphatases (PSPs) are important regulators of many cAMP-mediated hormone responses in cells. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) play a significant role in cell cycle and cell signaling processes. Another family of phosphatases is the acid phosphatase or histidine acid phosphatase (HAP) family whose members hydrolyze phosphate esters at acidic pH conditions.

PSPs are found in the cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria and in association with cytoskeletal and membranous structures in most tissues, especially the brain. Some PSPs require divalent cations, such as Ca²⁺ or Mn²⁺, for activity. PSPs play important roles in glycogen metabolism, muscle contraction, protein synthesis, T cell function, neuronal activity, oocyte maturation, and hepatic metabolism (reviewed in Cohen, P. (1989) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 58:453–508). PSPs can be separated into two classes. The PPP class includes PP1, PP2A, PP2B/calcineurin, PP4, PP5, PP6, and PP7. Members of this class are composed of a homologous catalytic subunit bearing a very highly conserved signature sequence, coupled with one or more regulatory subunits (PROSITE PDOC00115). Further interactions with scaffold and anchoring molecules determine the intracellular localization of PSPs and substrate specificity. The PPM class consists of several closely related isoforms of PP2C and is evolutionarily unrelated to the PPP class.

PP1 dephosphorylates many of the proteins phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and is an important regulator of many cAMP-mediated hormone responses in cells. A number of isoforms have been identified, with the alpha and beta forms being produced by alternative splicing of the same gene. Both ubiquitous and tissue-specific targeting proteins for PP1 have been identified. In the brain, inhibition of PP1 activity by the dopamine and adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) is necessary for normal dopamine response in neostriatal neurons (reviewed in Price, N. E. and M. C. Mumby (1999) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 9:336–342). PP1, along with PP2A, has been shown to limit motility in microvascular endothelial cells, suggesting a role for PSPs in the inhibition of angiogenesis (Gabel, S. et al. (1999) Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 121:463–468).

PP2A is the main serine/threonine phosphatase. The core PP2A enzyme consists of a single 36 kDa catalytic subunit (C) associated with a 65 kDa scaffold subunit (A), whose role is to recruit additional regulatory subunits (B). Three gene families encoding B subunits are known (PR55, PR61, and PR72), each of which contain multiple isoforms, and additional families may exist (Millward, T. A et al. (1999) Trends Biosci. 24:186–191). These “B-type” subunits are cell type- and tissue-specific and determine the substrate specificity, enzymatic activity, and subcellular localization of the holoenzyme. The PR55 family is highly conserved and bears a conserved motif (PROSITE PDOC00785). PR55 increases PP2A activity toward mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and MAPK kinase (MEK). PP2A dephosphorylates the MAPK active site, inhibiting the cell's entry into mitosis. Several proteins can compete with PR55 for PP2A core enzyme binding, including the CKII kinase catalytic subunit, polyomavirus middle and small T antigens, and SV40 small t antigen. Viruses may use this mechanism to commandeer PP2A and stimulate progression of the cell through the cell cycle (Pallas, D. C. et al. (1992) J. Virol. 66:886–893). Altered MAP kinase expression is also implicated in a variety of disease conditions including cancer, inflammation, immune disorders, and disorders affecting growth and development. PP2A, in fact, can dephosphorylate and modulate the activities of more than 30 protein kinases in vitro, and other evidence suggests that the same is true in vivo for such kinases as PKB, PKC, the calmodulin-dependent kinases, ERK family MAP kinases, cyclin-dependent kinases, and the IκK kinases (reviewed in Millward et al., supra. PP2A is itself a substrate for CKI and CKII kinases, and can be stimulated by polycationic macromolecules. A PP2A-like phosphatase is necessary to maintain the G1 phase destruction of mammalian cyclins A and B (Bastians, H. et al. (1999) Mol. Biol. Cell 10:3927–3941). PP2A is a major activity in the brain and is implicated in regulating neurofilament stability and normal neural function, particularly the phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Hyperphosphorylation of tau has been proposed to lead to the neuronal degeneration seen in Alzheimer's disease (reviewed in Price and Mumby, supra).

PP2B, or calcineurin, is a Ca²⁺-activated dimeric phosphatase and is particularly abundant in the brain. It consists of catalytic and regulatory subunits, and is activated by the binding of the calcium/calmodulin complex. Calcineurin is the target of the immunosuppressant drugs cyclosporine and FK506. Along with other cellular factors, these drugs interact with calcineurin and inhibit phosphatase activity. In T cells, this blocks the calcium dependent activation of the NF-AT family of transcription factors, leading to immunosuppression. This family is widely distributed, and it is likely that calcineurin regulates gene expression in other tissues as well. In neurons, calcineurin modulates functions which range from the inhibition of neurotransmitter release to desensitization of postsynaptic NMDA-receptor coupled calcium channels to long term memory (reviewed in Price and Mumby, supra).

Other members of the PPP class have recently been identified (Cohen, P. T. (1997) Trends Biochem. Sci. 22:245–251). One of them, PP5, contains regulatory domains with tetratricopeptide repeats. It can be activated by polyunsaturated fatty acids and anionic phospholipids in vitro and appears to be involved in a number of signaling pathways, including those controlled by atrial natriuretic peptide or steroid hormones (reviewed in Andreeva, A. V. and M. A. Kutuzov (1999) Cell Signal. 11:555–562).

PP2C is a ˜42kDa monomer with broad substrate specificity and is dependent on divalent cations (mainly Mn²⁺ or Mg²⁺) for its activity. PP2C proteins share a conserved N-terminal region with an invariant DGH motif, which contains an aspartate residue involved in cation binding (PROSITE PDOC00792). Targeting proteins and mechanisms regulating PP2C activity have not been identified. PP2C has been shown to inhibit the stress-responsive p38 and Jun kinase (JNK) pathways (Takekawa, M. et al. (1998) EMBO J. 17:4744–4752).

In contrast to PSPs, tyrosine-specific phosphatases (PTPs) are generally monomeric proteins of very diverse size (from 20 kDa to greater than 100 kDa) and structure that function primarily in the transduction of signals across the plasma membrane. PTPs are categorized as either soluble phosphatases or transmembrane receptor proteins that contain a phosphatase domain. All PTPs share a conserved catalytic domain of about 300 amino acids which contains the active site. The active site consensus sequence includes a cysteine residue which executes a nucleophilic attack on the phosphate moiety during catalysis (Neel, B. G. and N. K. Tonks (1997) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 9:193–204). Receptor PTPs are made up of an N-terminal extracellular domain of variable length, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic region that generally contains two copies of the catalytic domain. Although only the first copy seems to have enzymatic activity, the second copy apparently affects the substrate specificity of the first. The extracellular domains of some receptor PTPs contain fibronectin-like repeats, immunoglobulin-like domains, MAM domains (an extracellular motif likely to have an adhesive function), or carbonic anhydrase-like domains (PROSITE PDOC 00323). This wide variety of structural motifs accounts for the diversity in size and specificity of PTPs.

PTPs play important roles in biological processes such as cell adhesion, lymphocyte activation, and cell proliferation. PTPs μ and κ are involved in cell-cell contacts, perhaps regulating cadherin/catenin function. A number of PTPs affect cell spreading, focal adhesions, and cell motility, most of them via the integrin/tyrosine kinase signaling pathway (reviewed in Neel and Tonks, supra). CD45 phosphatases regulate signal transduction and lymphocyte activation (Ledbetter, J. A. et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:8628–8632). Soluble PTPs containing Src-homology-2 domains have been identified (SHPs), suggesting that these molecules might interact with receptor tyrosine kinases. SHP-1 regulates cytokine receptor signaling by controlling the Janus family PTKs in hematopoietic cells, as well as signaling by the T-cell receptor and c-Kit (reviewed in Neel and Tonks, supra). M-phase inducer phosphatase plays a key role in the induction of mitosis by dephosphorylating and activating the PTK CDC2, leading to cell division (Sadhu, K. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5139–5143). In addition, the genes encoding at least eight PTPs have been mapped to chromosomal regions that are translocated or rearranged in various neoplastic conditions, including lymphoma, small cell lung carcinoma, leukemia, adenocarcinoma, and neuroblastoma (reviewed in Charbonneau, IL and N. K. Tonks (1992) Annu. Rev. Cell Biol. 8:463–493). The PTP enzyme active site comprises the consensus sequence of the MTM1 gene family. The MTM1 gene is responsible for X-linked recessive myotubular myopathy, a congenital muscle disorder that has been linked to Xq28 (Kioschis, P. et al., (1998) Genomics 54:256–266). Many PTKs are encoded by oncogenes, and it is well known that oncogenesis is often accompanied by increased tyrosine phosphorylation activity. It is therefore possible that PTPs may serve to prevent or reverse cell transformation and the growth of various cancers by controlling the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in cells. This is supported by studies showing that overexpression of PTP can suppress transformation in cells and that specific inhibition of PIP can enhance cell transformation (Charbonneau and Tonks, supra).

Dual specificity phosphatases (DSPs) are structurally more similar to the PTPs than the PSPs. DSPs bear an extended PTP active site motif with an additional 7 amino acid residues. DSPs are primarily associated with cell proliferation and include the cell cycle regulators cdc25A, B, and C. The phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP2 inactivate the MAPK family members ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and p38 on both tyrosine and threonine residues (PROSITE PDOC 00323, supra). In the activated state, these kinases have been implicated in neuronal differentiation, proliferation, oncogenic transformation, platelet aggregation, and apoptosis. Thus, DSPs are necessary for proper regulation of these processes (Muda, M. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem 271:27205–27208). The tumor suppressor PTEN is a DSP that also shows lipid phosphatase activity. It seems to negatively regulate interactions with the extracellular matrix and maintains sensitivity to apoptosis. PTEN has been implicated in the prevention of angiogenesis (Giri, D. and M. Ittmann (1999) Hum. Pathol. 30:419–424) and abnormalities in its expression are associated with numerous cancers (reviewed in Tamura, M. et al. (1999) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 91:1820–1828).

Histidine acid phosphatase (HAP; EXPASY EC 3.1.3.2), also known as acid phosphatase, hydrolyzes a wide spectrum of substrates including alkyl, aryl, and acyl orthophosphate monoesters and phosphorylated proteins at low pH. HAPs share two regions of conserved sequences, each centered around a histidine residue which is involved in catalytic activity. Members of the HAP family include lysosomal acid phosphatase (LAP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), both sensitive to inhibition by L-tartrate (PROSITE PDOC00538).

LAP, an orthophosphoric monoester of the endosomal/lysosomal compartment is a housekeeping gene whose enzymatic activity has been detected in all tissues examined (Geier, C. et al. (1989) Eur. J. Biochem. 183:611–616). LAP-deficient mice have progressive skeletal disorder and an increased disposition toward generalized seizures (Saftig, P. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:18628–18635). LAP-deficient patients were found to have the following clinical features: intermittent vomiting, hypotonia, lethargy, opisthotonos, terminal bleeding, seizures, and death in early infancy (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) *200950).

PAP, a prostate epithelium-specific differentiation antigen produced by the prostate gland, has been used to diagnose and stage prostate cancer. In prostate carcinomas, the enzymatic activity of PAP was shown to be decreased compared with normal or benign prostate hypertrophy cells (Foti, A. G. et al. (1977) Cancer Res. 37: 4120–4124). Two forms of PAP have been identified, secreted and intracellular. Mature secreted PAP is detected in the seminal fluid and is active as a glycosylated homodimer with a molecular weight of approximately 100-kilodalton. Intracellular PAP is found to exhibit endogenous phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase activity and is involved in regulating prostate cell growth (Meng, T. C. and Lin, M. F. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 34: 22096–22104).

Synaptojanin, a polyphosphoinositide phosphatase, dephosphorylates phosphoinositides at positions 3, 4 and 5 of the inositol ring. Synaptojanin is a major presynaptic protein found at clathrin-coated endocytic intermediates in nerve terminals, and binds the clathrin coat-associated protein, EPS15. This binding is mediated by the C-terminal region of synaptojanin-170, which has 3 Asp-Pro-Phe amino acid repeats. Further, this 3 residue repeat bad been found to be the binding site for the EH domains of EPS15 (Haffner, C. et al. (1997) FEBS Lett. 419:175–180). Additionally, synaptojanin may potentially regulate interactions of endocytic proteins with the plasma membrane, and be involved in synaptic vesicle recycling (Brodin, L. et al. (2000) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 10:312–320). Studies in mice with a targeted disruption in the synaptojanin 1 gene (Synj1) were shown to support coat formation of endocytic vesicles more effectively than was seen in wild-type mice, suggesting that Synj1 can act as a negative regulator of membrane-coat protein interactions. These findings provide genetic evidence for a crucial role of phosphoinositide metabolism in synaptic vesicle recycling (Cremona, O. et al. (1999) Cell 99:179–188).

The discovery of new kinases and phosphatases, and the polynucleotides encoding them, satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders, neurological disorders, disorders affecting growth and development, lipid disorders, cell proliferative disorders, and cancers, and in the assessment of the effects of exogenous compounds on the expression of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of kinases and phosphatases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention features purified polypeptides, kinases and phosphatases, referred to collectively as “KAP” and individually as “KAP-1,” “KAP-2,” “KAP-3,” “KAP-4,” “KAP-5,” “KAP-6,” “KAP-7,” “KAP-8,” “KAP-9,” “KAP-10,” “KAP-11,” “KAP-12,” “KAP-13,” “KAP-14,” “KAP-15,” “KAP-16,” “KAP-17,” “KAP-18,” “KAP-19,” and “KAP-20.” In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. In one alternative, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1–20.

The invention further provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. In one alternative, the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. In another alternative, the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40.

Additionally, the invention provides a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. In one alternative, the invention provides a cell transformed with the recombinant polynucleotide. In another alternative, the invention provides a transgenic organism comprising the recombinant polynucleotide.

The invention also provides a method for producing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The method comprises a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, and b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed.

Additionally, the invention provides an isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20.

The invention further provides an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)–d). In one alternative, the polynucleotide comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)–d). The method comprises a) hybridizing the sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides comprising a sequence complementary to said target polynucleotide in the sample, and which probe specifically hybridizes to said target polynucleotide, under conditions whereby a hybridization complex is formed between said probe and said target polynucleotide or fragments thereof, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said hybridization complex, and optionally, if present, the amount thereof. In one alternative, the probe comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides.

The invention further provides a method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)–d). The method comprises a) amplifying said target polynucleotide or fragment thereof using polymerase chain reaction amplification, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said amplified target polynucleotide or fragment thereof, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.

The invention further provides a composition comprising an effective amount of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In one embodiment, the composition comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The invention additionally provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional KAP, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

The invention also provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an agonist of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The method comprises a) exposing a sample comprising the polypeptide to a compound, and b) detecting agonist activity in the sample. In one alternative, the invention provides a composition comprising an agonist compound identified by the method and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In another alternative, the invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional KAP, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The method comprises a) exposing a sample comprising the polypeptide to a compound, and b) detecting antagonist activity in the sample. In one alternative, the invention provides a composition comprising an antagonist compound identified by the method and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In another alternative, the invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with overexpression of functional KAP, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

The invention further provides a method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The method comprises a) combining the polypeptide with at least one test compound under suitable conditions, and b) detecting binding of the polypeptide to the test compound, thereby identifying a compound that specifically binds to the polypeptide.

The invention further provides a method of screening for a compound that modulates the activity of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1–20. The method comprises a) combining the polypeptide with at least one test compound under conditions permissive for the activity of the polypeptide, b) assessing the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound, and c) comparing the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound with the activity of the polypeptide in the absence of the test compound, wherein a change in the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is indicative of a compound that modulates the activity of the polypeptide.

The invention further provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness in altering expression of a target polynucleotide, wherein said target polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, the method comprising a) exposing a sample comprising the target polynucleotide to a compound, b) detecting altered expression of the target polynucleotide, and c) comparing the expression of the target polynucleotide in the presence of varying amounts of the compound and in the absence of the compound.

The invention further provides a method for assessing toxicity of a test compound, said method comprising a) treating a biological sample containing nucleic acids with the test compound; b) hybridizing the nucleic acids of the treated biological sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of i) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, ii) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, iii) a polynucleotide having a sequence complementary to i), iv) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of ii), and v) an RNA equivalent of i)–iv). Hybridization occurs under conditions whereby a specific hybridization complex is formed between said probe and a target polynucleotide in the biological sample, said target polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of i) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, ii) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, iii) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of i), iv) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of ii), and v) an RNA equivalent of i)–iv). Alternatively, the target polynucleotide comprises a fragment of a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of i)–v) above; c) quantifying the amount of hybridization complex; and d) comparing the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample with the amount of hybridization complex in an untreated biological sample, wherein a difference in the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample is indicative of toxicity of the test compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TABLES

Table 1 summarizes the nomenclature for the full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences of the present invention.

Table 2 shows the GenBank identification number and annotation of the nearest GenBank homolog for polypeptides of the invention. The probability scores for the matches between each polypeptide and its homolog(s) are also shown.

Table 3 shows structural features of polypeptide sequences of the invention, including predicted motifs and domains, along with the methods, algorithms, and searchable databases used for analysis of the polypeptides.

Table 4 lists the cDNA and/or genomic DNA fragments which were used to assemble polynucleotide sequences of the invention, along with selected fragments of the polynucleotide sequences.

Table 5 shows the representative cDNA library for polynucleotides of the invention.

Table 6 provides an appendix which describes the tissues and vectors used for construction of the cDNA libraries shown in Table 5.

Table 7 shows the tools, programs, and algorithms used to analyze the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, along with applicable descriptions, references, and threshold parameters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present proteins, nucleotide sequences, and methods are described, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular machines, materials and methods described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a host cell” includes a plurality of such host cells, and a reference to “an antibody” is a reference to one or more antibodies and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any machines, materials, and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice or test the present invention, the preferred machines, materials and methods are now described. All publications mentioned herein are cited for the purpose of describing and disclosing the cell lines, protocols, reagents and vectors which are reported in the publications and which might be used in connection with the invention. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Definitions

“KAP” refers to the amino acid sequences of substantially purified KAP obtained from any species, particularly a mammalian species, including bovine, ovine, porcine, murine, equine, and human, and from any source, whether natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, or recombinant.

The term “agonist” refers to a molecule which intensifies or mimics the biological activity of KAP. Agonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, small molecules, or any other compound or composition which modulates the activity of KAP either by directly interacting with KAP or by acting on components of the biological pathway in which KAP participates.

An “allelic variant” is an alternative form of the gene encoding KAP. Allelic variants may result from at least one mutation in the nucleic acid sequence and may result in altered mRNAs or in polypeptides whose structure or function may or may not be altered. A gene may have none, one, or many allelic variants of its naturally occurring form. Common mutational changes which give rise to allelic variants are generally ascribed to natural deletions, additions, or substitutions of nucleotides. Each of these types of changes may occur alone, or in combination with the others, one or more times in a given sequence.

“Altered” nucleic acid sequences encoding KAP include those sequences with deletions, insertions, or substitutions of different nucleotides, resulting in a polypeptide the same as KAP or a polypeptide with at least one functional characteristic of KAP. Included within this definition are polymorphisms which may or may not be readily detectable using a particular oligonucleotide probe of the polynucleotide encoding KAP, and improper or unexpected hybridization to allelic variants, with a locus other than the normal chromosomal locus for the polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP. The encoded protein may also be “altered,” and may contain deletions, insertions, or substitutions of amino acid residues which produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent KAP. Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues, as long as the biological or immunological activity of KAP is retained. For example, negatively charged amino acids may include aspartic acid and glutamic acid, and positively charged amino acids may include lysine and arginine. Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains having similar hydrophilicity values may include: asparagine and glutamine; and serine and threonine. Amino acids with uncharged side chains having similar hydrophilicity values may include: leucine, isoleucine, and valine; glycine and alanine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine.

The terms “amino acid” and “amino acid sequence” refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence, or a fragment of any of these, and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules. Where “amino acid sequence” is recited to refer to a sequence of a naturally occurring protein molecule, “amino acid sequence” and like terms are not meant to limit the amino acid sequence to the complete native amino acid sequence associated with the recited protein molecule.

“Amplification” relates to the production of additional copies of a nucleic acid sequence. Amplification is generally carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies well known in the art.

The term “antagonist” refers to a molecule which inhibits or attenuates the biological activity of KAP. Antagonists may include proteins such as antibodies, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, small molecules, or any other compound or composition which modulates the activity of KAP either by directly interacting with KAP or by acting on components of the biological pathway in which KAP participates.

The term “antibody” refers to intact immunoglobulin molecules as well as to fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab′)₂, and Fv fragments, which are capable of binding an epitopic determinant. Antibodies that bind KAP polypeptides can be prepared using intact polypeptides or using fragments containing small peptides of interest as the immunizing antigen. The polypeptide or oligopeptide used to immunize an animal (e.g., a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit) can be derived from the translation of RNA, or synthesized chemically, and can be conjugated to a carrier protein if desired. Commonly used carriers that are chemically coupled to peptides include bovine serum albumin, thyroglobulin, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The coupled peptide is then used to immunize the animal.

The term “antigenic determinant” refers to that region of a molecule (i.e., an epitope) that makes contact with a particular antibody. When a protein or a fragment of a protein is used to immunize a host animal, numerous regions of the protein may induce the production of antibodies which bind specifically to antigenic determinants (particular regions or three-dimensional structures on the protein). An antigenic determinant may compete with the intact antigen (i.e., the immunogen used to elicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody.

The term “aptamer” refers to a nucleic acid or oligonucleotide molecule that binds to a specific molecular target. Aptamers are derived from an in vitro evolutionary process (e.g., SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment), described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,163), which selects for target-specific aptamer sequences from large combinatorial libraries. Aptamer compositions may be double-stranded or single-stranded, and may include deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, nucleotide derivatives, or other nucleotide-like molecules. The nucleotide components of an aptamer may have modified sugar groups (e.g., the 2′-OH group of a ribonucleotide may be replaced by 2′-F or 2′-NH₂), which may improve a desired property, e.g., resistance to nucleases or longer lifetime in blood. Aptamers may be conjugated to other molecules, e.g., a high molecular weight carrier to slow clearance of the aptamer from the circulatory system. Aptamers may be specifically cross-linked to their cognate ligands, e.g., by photo-activation of a cross-linker. (See, e.g., Brody, E. N. and L. Gold (2000) J. Biotechnol. 74:5–13.)

The term “intramer” refers to an aptamer which is expressed in vivo. For example, a vaccinia virus-based RNA expression system has been used to express specific RNA aptamers at high levels in the cytoplasm of leukocytes (Blind, M. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 96:3606–3610).

The term “spiegelmer” refers to an aptamer which includes L-DNA, L-RNA, or other left-handed nucleotide derivatives or nucleotide-like molecules. Aptamers containing left-handed nucleotides are resistant to degradation by naturally occurring enzymes, which normally act on substrates containing right-handed nucleotides.

The term “antisense” refers to any composition capable of base-pairing with the “sense” (coding) strand of a specific nucleic acid sequence. Antisense compositions may include DNA; RNA; peptide nucleic acid (PNA); oligonucleotides having modified backbone linkages such as phosphorothioates, methylphosphonates, or benzylphosphonates; oligonucleotides having modified sugar groups such as 2′-methoxyethyl sugars or 2′-methoxyethoxy sugars; or oligonucleotides having modified bases such as 5-methyl cytosine, 2′-deoxyuracil, or 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine. Antisense molecules may be produced by any method including chemical synthesis or transcription. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary antisense molecule base-pairs with a naturally occurring nucleic acid sequence produced by the cell to form duplexes which block either transcription or translation. The designation “negative” or “minus” can refer to the antisense strand, and the designation “positive” or “plus” can refer to the sense strand of a reference DNA molecule.

The term “biologically active” refers to a protein having structural, regulatory, or biochemical functions of a naturally occurring molecule. Likewise, “immunologically active” or “immunogenic” refers to the capability of the natural, recombinant, or synthetic KAP, or of any oligopeptide thereof, to induce a specific immune response in appropriate animals or cells and to bind with specific antibodies.

“Complementary” describes the relationship between two single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that anneal by base-pairing. For example, 5′-AGT-3′ pairs with its complement, 3′-TCA-5′.

A “composition comprising a given polynucleotide sequence” and a “composition comprising a given amino acid sequence” refer broadly to any composition containing the given polynucleotide or amino acid sequence. The composition may comprise a dry formulation or an aqueous solution. Compositions comprising polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP or fragments of KAP may be employed as hybridization probes. The probes may be stored in freeze-dried form and may be associated with a stabilizing agent such as a carbohydrate. In hybridizations, the probe may be deployed in an aqueous solution containing salts (e.g., NaCl), detergents (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS), and other components (e.g., Denhardt's solution, dry milk, salmon sperm DNA, etc.).

“Consensus sequence” refers to a nucleic acid sequence which has been subjected to repeated DNA sequence analysis to resolve uncalled bases, extended using the XL-PCR kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City Calif.) in the 5′ and/or the 3′ direction, and resequenced, or which has been assembled from one or more overlapping cDNA, EST, or genomic DNA fragments using a computer program for fragment assembly, such as the GELVIEW fragment assembly system (GCG, Madison Wis.) or Phrap (University of Washington, Seattle Wash.). Some sequences have been both extended and assembled to produce the consensus sequence.

“Conservative amino acid substitutions” are those substitutions that are predicted to least interfere with the properties of the original protein, i.e., the structure and especially the function of the protein is conserved and not significantly changed by such substitutions. The table below shows amino acids which may be substituted for an original amino acid in a protein and which are regarded as conservative amino acid substitutions.

Original Residue Conservative Substitution Ala Gly, Ser Arg His, Lys Asn Asp, Gln, His Asp Asn, Glu Cys Ala, Ser Gln Asn, Glu, His Glu Asp, Gln, His Gly Ala His Asn, Arg, Gln, Glu Ile Leu, Val Leu Ile, Val Lys Arg, Gln, Glu Met Leu, Ile Phe His, Met, Leu, Trp, Tyr Ser Cys, Thr Thr Ser, Val Trp Phe, Tyr Tyr His, Phe, Trp Val Ile, Leu, Thr

Conservative amino acid substitutions generally maintain (a) the structure of the polypeptide backbone in the area of the substitution, for example, as a beta sheet or alpha helical conformation, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the site of the substitution, and/or (c) the bulk of the side chain.

A “deletion” refers to a change in the amino acid or nucleotide sequence that results in the absence of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides.

The term “derivative” refers to a chemically modified polynucleotide or polypeptide. Chemical modifications of a polynucleotide can include, for example, replacement of hydrogen by an alkyl, acyl, hydroxyl, or amino group. A derivative polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide which retains at least one biological or immunological function-of the natural molecule. A derivative polypeptide is one modified by glycosylation, pegylation, or any similar process that retains at least one biological or immunological function of the polypeptide from which it was derived.

A “detectable label” refers to a reporter molecule or enzyme that is capable of generating a measurable signal and is covalently or noncovalently joined to a polynucleotide or polypeptide.

“Differential expression” refers to increased or upregulated; or decreased, downregulated, or absent gene or protein expression, determined by comparing at least two different samples. Such comparisons may be carried out between, for example, a treated and an untreated sample, or a diseased and a normal sample.

“Exon shuffling” refers to the recombination of different coding regions (exons). Since an exon may represent a structural or functional domain of the encoded protein, new proteins may be assembled through the novel reassortment of stable substructures, thus allowing acceleration of the evolution of new protein functions.

A “fragment” is a unique portion of KAP or the polynucleotide encoding KAP which is identical in sequence to but shorter in length than the parent sequence. A fragment may comprise up to the entire length of the defined sequence, minus one nucleotide/amino acid residue. For example, a fragment may comprise from 5 to 1000 contiguous nucleotides or amino acid residues. A fragment used as a probe, primer, antigen, therapeutic molecule, or for other purposes, may be at least 5, 10, 15, 16, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 150, 250 or at least 500 contiguous nucleotides or amino acid residues in length. Fragments may be preferentially selected from certain regions of a molecule. For example, a polypeptide fragment may comprise a certain length of contiguous amino acids selected from the first 250 or 500 amino acids (or first 25% or 50%) of a polypeptide as shown in a certain defined sequence. Clearly these lengths are exemplary, and any length that is supported by the specification, including the Sequence Listing, tables, and figures, may be encompassed by the present embodiments.

A fragment of SEQ D NO:21–40 comprises a region of unique polynucleotide sequence that specifically identifies SEQ ID NO:21–40, for example, as distinct from any other sequence in the genome from which the fragment was obtained. A fragment of SEQ ID NO:21–40 is useful, for example, in hybridization and amplification technologies and in analogous methods that distinguish SEQ ID NO:21–40 from related polynucleotide sequences. The precise length of a fragment of SEQ ID NO:21–40 and the region of SEQ ID NO:21–40 to which the fragment corresponds are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the intended purpose for the fragment.

A fragment of SEQ ID NO:1–20 is encoded by a fragment of SEQ ID NO:21–40. A fragment of SEQ ID NO:1–20 comprises a region of unique amino acid sequence that specifically identifies SEQ ID NO:1–20. For example, a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1–20 is useful as an immunogenic peptide for the development of antibodies that specifically recognize SEQ ID NO:1–20. The precise length of a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1–20 and the region of SEQ ID NO:1–20 to which the fragment corresponds are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the intended purpose for the fragment.

A “full length” polynucleotide sequence is one containing at least a translation initiation codon (e.g., methionine) followed by an open reading frame and a translation termination codon. A “full length” polynucleotide sequence encodes a “full length” polypeptide sequence.

“Homology” refers to sequence similarity or, interchangeably, sequence identity, between two or more polynucleotide sequences or two or more polypeptide sequences.

The terms “percent identity” and “% identity,” as applied to polynucleotide sequences, refer to the percentage of residue matches between at least two polynucleotide sequences aligned using a standardized algorithm. Such an algorithm may insert, in a standardized and reproducible way, gaps in the sequences being compared in order to optimize alignment between two sequences, and therefore achieve a more meaningful comparison of the two sequences.

Percent identity between polynucleotide sequences may be determined using the default parameters of the CLUSTAL V algorithm as incorporated into the MEGALIGN version 3.12e sequence alignment program. This program is part of the LASERGENE software package, a suite of molecular biological analysis programs (DNASTAR, Madison Wis.). CLUSTAL V is described in Higgins, D. G. and P. M. Sharp (1989) CABIOS 5:151–153 and in Higgins, D. G. et al. (1992) CABIOS 8:189–191. For pairwise alignments of polynucleotide sequences, the default parameters are set as follows: Ktuple=2, gap penalty=5, window=4, and “diagonals saved”=4. The “weighted” residue weight table is selected as the default. Percent identity is reported by CLUSTAL V as the “percent similarity” between aligned polynucleotide sequences.

Alternatively, a suite of commonly used and freely available sequence comparison algorithms is provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (Altschul, S. F. et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403–410), which is available from several sources, including the NCBL, Bethesda, Md., and on the Internet at the NCBI website. The BLAST software suite includes various sequence analysis programs including “blastn,” that is used to align a known polynucleotide sequence with other polynucleotide sequences from a variety of databases. Also available is a tool called “BLAST 2 Sequences” that is used for direct pairwise comparison of two nucleotide sequences. “BLAST 2 Sequences” can be accessed and used interactively at the NCBI website. The “BLAST 2 Sequences” tool can be used for both blastn and blastp (discussed below). BLAST programs are commonly used with gap and other parameters set to default settings. For example, to compare two nucleotide sequences, one may use blastn with the “BLAST 2 Sequences” tool Version 2.0.12 (Apr. 21, 2000) set at default parameters. Such default parameters may be, for example:

Matrix: BLOSUM62

Reward for match: 1

Penalty for mismatch: −2

Open Gap: 5 and Extension Gap: 2 penalties

Gap x drop-off: 50

Expect: 10

Word Size: 11

Filter: on

Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined sequence, for example, as defined by a particular SEQ ID number, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 70, at least 100, or at least 200 contiguous nucleotides. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures, or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured.

Nucleic acid sequences that do not show a high degree of identity may nevertheless encode similar amino acid sequences due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. It is understood that changes in a nucleic acid sequence can be made using this degeneracy to produce multiple nucleic acid sequences that all encode substantially the same protein.

The phrases “percent identity” and “% identity,” as applied to polypeptide sequences, refer to the percentage of residue matches between at least two polypeptide sequences aligned using a standardized algorithm. Methods of polypeptide sequence alignment are well-known. Some alignment methods take into account conservative amino acid substitutions. Such conservative substitutions, explained in more detail above, generally preserve the charge and hydrophobicity at the site of substitution, thus preserving the structure (and therefore function) of the polypeptide.

Percent identity between polypeptide sequences may be determined using the default parameters of the CLUSTAL V algorithm as incorporated into the MEGALIGN version 3.12e sequence alignment program (described and referenced above). For pairwise alignments of polypeptide sequences using CLUSTAL V, the default parameters are set as follows: Ktuple=1, gap penalty=3, window=5, and “diagonals saved”=5. The PAM250 matrix is selected as the default residue weight table. As with polynucleotide alignments, the percent identity is reported by CLUSTAL V as the “percent similarity” between aligned polypeptide sequence pairs.

Alternatively the NCBI BLAST software suite may be used. For example, for a pairwise comparison of two polypeptide sequences, one may use the “BLAST 2 Sequences” tool Version 2.0.12 (Apr. 21, 2000) with blastp set at default parameters. Such default parameters may be, for example:

Matrix: BLOSUM62

Open Gap: 11 and Extension Gap: 1 penalties

Gap x drop-off: 50

Expect: 10

Word Size: 3

Filter: on

Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined polypeptide sequence, for example, as defined by a particular SEQ ID number, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined polypeptide sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 15, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 70 or at least 150 contiguous residues. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured.

“Human artificial chromosomes” (HACs) are linear microchromosomes which may contain DNA sequences of about 6 kb to 10 Mb in size and which contain all of the elements required for chromosome replication, segregation and maintenance.

The term “humanized antibody” refers to an antibody molecule in which the amino acid sequence in the non-antigen binding regions has been altered so that the antibody more closely resembles a human antibody, and still retains its original binding ability.

“Hybridization” refers to the process by which a polynucleotide strand anneals with a complementary strand through base pairing under defined hybridization conditions. Specific hybridization is an indication that two nucleic acid sequences share a high degree of complementarity. Specific hybridization complexes form under permissive annealing conditions and remain hybridized after the “washing” step(s). The washing step(s) is particularly important in determining the stringency of the hybridization process, with more stringent conditions allowing less non-specific binding, i.e., binding between pairs of nucleic acid strands that are not perfectly matched. Permissive conditions for annealing of nucleic acid sequences are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art and may be consistent among hybridization experiments, whereas wash conditions may be varied among experiments to achieve the desired stringency, and therefore hybridization specificity. Permissive annealing conditions occur, for example, at 68° C. in the presence of about 6×SSC, about 1% (w/v) SDS, and about 100 μg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA.

Generally, stringency of hybridization is expressed, in part, with reference to the temperature under which the wash step is carried out. Such wash temperatures are typically selected to be about 5° C. to 20° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. An equation for calculating T_(m) and conditions for nucleic acid hybridization are well known and can be found in Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed., vol. 1–3, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview N.Y.; specifically see volume 2, chapter 9.

High stringency conditions for hybridization between polynucleotides of the present invention include wash conditions of 68° C. in the presence of about 0.2×SSC and about 0.1% SDS, for 1 hour. Alternatively, temperatures of about 65° C., 60° C., 55° C., or 42° C. may be used. SSC concentration may be varied from about 0.1 to 2×SSC, with SDS being present at about 0.1%. Typically, blocking reagents are used to block non-specific hybridization. Such blocking reagents include, for instance, sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA at about 100–200 μg/ml. Organic solvent, such as formamide at a concentration of about 35–50% v/v, may also be used under particular circumstances, such as for RNA:DNA hybridizations. Useful variations on these wash conditions will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Hybridization, particularly under high stringency conditions, may be suggestive of evolutionary similarity between the nucleotides. Such similarity is strongly indicative of a similar role for the nucleotides and their encoded polypeptides.

The term “hybridization complex” refers to a complex formed between two nucleic acid sequences by virtue of the formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary bases. A hybridization complex may be formed in solution (e.g., C₀t or R₀t analysis) or formed between one nucleic acid sequence present in solution and another nucleic acid sequence immobilized on a solid support (e.g., paper, membranes, filters, chips, pins or glass slides, or any other appropriate substrate to which cells or their nucleic acids have been fixed).

The words “insertion” and “addition” refer to changes in an amino acid or nucleotide sequence resulting in the addition of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides, respectively.

“Immune response” can refer to conditions associated with inflammation, trauma, immune disorders, or infectious or genetic disease, etc. These conditions can be characterized by expression of various factors, e.g., cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules, which may affect cellular and systemic defense systems.

An “immunogenic fragment” is a polypeptide or oligopeptide fragment of KAP which is capable of eliciting an immune response when introduced into a living organism, for example, a mammal. The term “immunogenic fragment” also includes any polypeptide or oligopeptide fragment of KAP which is useful in any of the antibody production methods disclosed herein or known in the art.

The term “microarray” refers to an arrangement of a plurality of polynucleotides, polypeptides, or other chemical compounds on a substrate.

The terms “element” and “array element” refer to a polynucleotide, polypeptide, or other chemical compound having a unique and defined position on a microarray.

The term “modulate” refers to a change in the activity of KAP. For example, modulation may cause an increase or a decrease in protein activity, binding characteristics, or any other biological, functional, or immunological properties of KAP.

The phrases “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid sequence” refer to a nucleotide, oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, or any fragment thereof. These phrases also refer to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be single-stranded or double-stranded and may represent the sense or the antisense strand, to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or to any DNA-like or RNA-like material.

“Operably linked” refers to the situation in which a first nucleic acid sequence is placed in a functional relationship with a second nucleic acid sequence. For instance, a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if the promoter affects the transcription or expression of the coding sequence. Operably linked DNA sequences may be in close proximity or contiguous and, where necessary to join two protein coding regions, in the same reading frame.

“Peptide nucleic acid” (PNA) refers to an antisense molecule or anti-gene agent which comprises an oligonucleotide of at least about 5 nucleotides in length linked to a peptide backbone of amino acid residues ending in lysine. The terminal lysine confers solubility to the composition. PNAs preferentially bind complementary single stranded DNA or RNA and stop transcript elongation, and may be pegylated to extend their lifespan in the cell.

“Post-translational modification” of an KAP may involve lipidation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, racemization, proteolytic cleavage, and other modifications known in the art. These processes may occur synthetically or biochemically. Biochemical modifications will vary by cell type depending on the enzymatic milieu of KAP.

“Probe” refers to nucleic acid sequences encoding KAP, their complements, or fragments thereof, which are used to detect identical, allelic or related nucleic acid sequences. Probes are isolated oligonucleotides or polynucleotides attached to a detectable label or reporter molecule. Typical labels include radioactive isotopes, ligands, chemiluminescent agents, and enzymes. “Primers” are short nucleic acids, usually DNA oligonucleotides, which may be annealed to a target polynucleotide by complementary base-pairing. The primer may then be extended along the target DNA strand by a DNA polymerase enzyme. Primer pairs can be used for amplification (and identification) of a nucleic acid sequence, e.g., by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Probes and primers as used in the present invention typically comprise at least 15 contiguous nucleotides of a known sequence. In order to enhance specificity, longer probes and primers may also be employed, such as probes and primers that comprise at least 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or at least 150 consecutive nucleotides of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences. Probes and primers may be considerably longer than these examples, and it is understood that any length supported by the specification, including the tables, figures, and Sequence Listing, may be used.

Methods for preparing and using probes and primers are described in the references, for example Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed., vol. 1–3, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview N.Y.; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (1987) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publ. Assoc. & Wiley-Intersciences, New York N.Y.; Innis, M. et al. (1990) PCR Protocols. A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press, San Diego Calif. PCR primer pairs can be derived from a known sequence, for example, by using computer programs intended for that purpose such as Primer (Version 0.5, 1991, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge Mass.).

Oligonucleotides for use as primers are selected using software known in the art for such purpose. For example, OLIGO 4.06 software is useful for the selection of PCR primer pairs of up to 100 nucleotides each, and for the analysis of oligonucleotides and larger polynucleotides of up to 5,000 nucleotides from an input polynucleotide sequence of up to 32 kilobases. Similar primer selection programs have incorporated additional features for expanded capabilities. For example, the PrimOU primer selection program (available to the public from the Genome Center at University of Texas South West Medical Center, Dallas Tex.) is capable of choosing specific primers from megabase sequences and is thus useful for designing primers on a genome-wide scope. The Primer3 primer selection program (available to the public from the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research, Cambridge Mass.) allows the user to input a “mispriming library,” in which sequences to avoid as primer binding sites are user-specified. Primer3 is useful, in particular, for the selection of oligonucleotides for microarrays. (The source code for the latter two primer selection programs may also be obtained from their respective sources and modified to meet the user's specific needs.) The PrimeGen program (available to the public from the UK Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre, Cambridge UK) designs primers based on multiple sequence alignments, thereby allowing selection of primers that hybridize to either the most conserved or least conserved regions of aligned nucleic acid sequences. Hence, this program is useful for identification of both unique and conserved oligonucleotides and polynucleotide fragments. The oligonucleotides and polynucleotide fragments identified by any of the above selection methods are useful in hybridization technologies, for example, as PCR or sequencing primers, microarray elements, or specific probes to identify fully or partially complementary polynucleotides in a sample of nucleic acids. Methods of oligonucleotide selection are not limited to those described above.

A “recombinant nucleic acid” is a sequence that is not naturally occurring or has a sequence that is made by an artificial combination of two or more otherwise separated segments of sequence. This artificial combination is often accomplished by chemical synthesis or, more commonly, by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids, e.g., by genetic engineering techniques such as those described in Sambrook, supra. The term recombinant includes nucleic acids that have been altered solely by addition, substitution, or deletion of a portion of the nucleic acid. Frequently, a recombinant nucleic acid may include a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a promoter sequence. Such a recombinant nucleic acid may be part of a vector that is used, for example, to transform a cell.

Alternatively, such recombinant nucleic acids may be part of a viral vector, e.g., based on a vaccinia virus, that could be use to vaccinate a mammal wherein the recombinant nucleic acid is expressed, inducing a protective immunological response in the mammal.

A “regulatory element” refers to a nucleic acid sequence usually derived from untranslated regions of a gene and includes enhancers, promoters, introns, and 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). Regulatory elements interact with host or viral proteins which control transcription, translation, or RNA stability.

“Reporter molecules” are chemical or biochemical moieties used for labeling a nucleic acid, amino acid, or antibody. Reporter molecules include radionuclides; enzymes; fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents; substrates; cofactors; inhibitors; magnetic particles; and other moieties known in the art.

An “RNA equivalent,” in reference to a DNA sequence, is composed of the same linear sequence of nucleotides as the reference DNA sequence with the exception that all occurrences of the nitrogenous base thymine are replaced with uracil, and the sugar backbone is composed of ribose instead of deoxyribose.

The term “sample” is used in its broadest sense. A sample suspected of containing KAP, nucleic acids encoding KAP, or fragments thereof may comprise a bodily fluid; an extract from a cell, chromosome, organelle, or membrane isolated from a cell; a cell; genomic DNA, RNA, or cDNA, in solution or bound to a substrate; a tissue; a tissue print; etc.

The terms “specific binding” and “specifically binding” refer to that interaction between a protein or peptide and an agonist, an antibody, an antagonist, a small molecule, or any natural or synthetic binding composition. The interaction is dependent upon the presence of a particular structure of the protein, e.g., the antigenic determinant or epitope, recognized by the binding molecule. For example, if an antibody is specific for epitope “A,” the presence of a polypeptide comprising the epitope A, or the presence of free unlabeled A, in a reaction containing free labeled A and the antibody will reduce the amount of labeled A that binds to the antibody.

The term “substantially purified” refers to nucleic acid or amino acid sequences that are removed from their natural environment and are isolated or separated, and are at least 60% free, preferably at least 75% free, and most preferably at least 90% free from other components with which they are naturally associated.

A “substitution” refers to the replacement of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides by different amino acid residues or nucleotides, respectively.

“Substrate” refers to any suitable rigid or semi-rigid support including membranes, filters, chips, slides, wafers, fibers, magnetic or nonmagnetic beads, gels, tubing, plates, polymers, microparticles and capillaries. The substrate can have a variety of surface forms, such as wells, trenches, pins, channels and pores, to which polynucleotides or polypeptides are bound.

A “transcript image” or “expression profile” refers to the collective pattern of gene expression by a particular cell type or tissue under given conditions at a given time.

“Transformation” describes a process by which exogenous DNA is introduced into a recipient cell. Transformation may occur under natural or artificial conditions according to various methods well known in the art, and may rely on any known method for the insertion of foreign nucleic acid sequences into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The method for transformation is selected based on the type of host cell being transformed and may include, but is not limited to, bacteriophage or viral infection, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, and particle bombardment The term “transformed cells” includes stably transformed cells in which the inserted DNA is capable of replication either as an autonomously replicating plasmid or as part of the host chromosome, as well as transiently transformed cells which express the inserted DNA or RNA for limited periods of time.

A “transgenic organism,” as used herein, is any organism, including but not limited to animals and plants, in which one or more of the cells of the organism contains heterologous nucleic acid introduced by way of human intervention, such as by transgenic techniques well known in the art. The nucleic acid is introduced into the cell, directly or indirectly by introduction into a precursor of the cell, by way of deliberate genetic manipulation, such as by microinjection or by infection with a recombinant virus. The term genetic manipulation does not include classical cross-breeding, or in vitro fertilization, but rather is directed to the introduction of a recombinant DNA molecule. The transgenic organisms contemplated in accordance with the present invention include bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, plants and animals. The isolated DNA of the present invention can be introduced into the host by methods known in the art, for example infection, transfection, transformation or transconjugation. Techniques for transferring the DNA of the present invention into such organisms are widely known and provided in references such as Sambrook et al. (1989), supra.

A “variant” of a particular nucleic acid sequence is defined as a nucleic acid sequence having at least 40% sequence identity to the particular nucleic acid sequence over a certain length of one of the nucleic acid sequences using blastn with the “BLAST 2 Sequences” tool Version 2.0.9 (May 7, 1999) set at default parameters. Such a pair of nucleic acids may show, for example, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% or greater sequence identity over a certain defined length. A variant may be described as, for example, an “allelic” (as defined above), “splice,” “species,” or “polymorphic” variant A splice variant may have significant identity to a reference molecule, but will generally have a greater or lesser number of polynucleotides due to alternate splicing of exons during mRNA processing. The corresponding polypeptide may possess additional functional domains or lack domains that are present in the reference molecule. Species variants are polynucleotide sequences that vary from one species to another. The resulting polypeptides will generally have significant amino acid identity relative to each other. A polymoiphic variant is a variation in the polynucleotide sequence of a particular gene between individuals of a given species. Polymorphic variants also may encompass “single nucleotide polymorphisms” (SNPs) in which the polynucleotide sequence varies by one nucleotide base. The presence of SNPs may be indicative of, for example, a certain population, a disease state, or a propensity for a disease state.

A “variant” of a particular polypeptide sequence is defined as a polypeptide sequence having at least 40% sequence identity to the particular polypeptide sequence over a certain length of one of the polypeptide sequences using blastp with the “BLAST 2 Sequences” tool Version 2.0.9 (May 7, 1999) set at default parameters. Such a pair of polypeptides may show, for example, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% or greater sequence identity over a certain defined length of one of the polypeptides.

THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the discovery of new human kinases and phosphatases (KAP), the polynucleotides encoding KAP, and the use of these compositions for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders, neurological disorders, disorders affecting growth and development, lipid disorders, cell proliferative disorders, and cancers.

Table 1 summarzes the nomenclature for the full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences of the invention. Each polynucleotide and its corresponding polypeptide are correlated to a single Incyte project identification number (Incyte Project ID). Each polypeptide sequence is denoted by both a polypeptide sequence identification number (Polypeptide SEQ ID NO:) and an Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ID) as shown. Each polynucleotide sequence is denoted by both a polynucleotide sequence identification number (Polynucleotide SEQ ID NO:) and an Incyte polynucleotide consensus sequence number (Incyte Polynucleotide ID) as shown.

Table 2 shows sequences with homology to the polypeptides of the invention as identified by BLAST analysis against the GenBank protein (genpept) database. Columns 1 and 2 show the polypeptide sequence identification number (Polypeptide SEQ ID NO:) and the corresponding Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ID) for polypeptides of the invention. Column 3 shows the GenBank identification number (GenBank ID NO:) of the nearest GenBank homolog. Column 4 shows the probability scores for the matches between each polypeptide and its homolog(s). Column 5 shows the annotation of the GenBank homolog(s) along with relevant citations where applicable, all of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Table 3 shows various structural features of the polypeptides of the invention. Columns 1 and 2 show the polypeptide sequence identification number (SEQ ID NO:) and the corresponding Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ID) for each polypeptide of the invention. Column 3 shows the number of amino acid residues in each polypeptide. Column 4 shows potential phosphorylation sites, and column 5 shows potential glycosylation sites, as determined by the MOTIFS program of the GCG sequence analysis software package (Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wis.). Column 6 shows amino acid residues comprising signature sequences, domains, and motifs. Column 7 shows analytical methods for protein structure/function analysis and in some cases, searchable databases to which the analytical methods were applied.

Together, Tables 2 and 3 summarize the properties of polypeptides of the invention, and these properties establish that the claimed polypeptides are kinases and phosphatases. For example, SEQ ID NO:1 is 79% identical to rat protein tyrosine phosphatase TD14 (GenBank ID g3598974) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:1 also contains protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, PROFILESCAN and MOTIFS analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:1 is a protein-tyrosine phosphatase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:3 is 34% identical to Fagus sylvatica protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C, GenBank ID g7768151) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 6.4e-17, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:3 also shares 45% identity with a putative Caenorhabditis elegans PP2C (GenBank ID g2804429), based on BLAST analysis, with a probability score of 2.4e-71. SEQ ID NO:3 contains protein phosphatase 2C domains as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BUMPS analysis provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:3 is a protein phosphatase 2C.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:5 is 25% identical to human protein kinase PAK5 (GenBank ID g7649810) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 7.2e-14, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:5 also contains a eukaryotic protein kinase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (MM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from TMAP analysis as well as BLIMPS and BLAST analyses of the PRODOM and DOMO databases provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:5 is a membrane-bound kinase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:6 is 1511 amino acid residues in length and is 97% identical over 1494 residues to human MEK kinase I (GenBank ID g2815888) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:6 also contains a eukaryotic protein kinase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFILESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:6 is protein kinase. In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:9 is 87% identical to murine protein kinase (GenBank ID g406058) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:9 also contains an eukaryotic protein kinase domain and a PDZ domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFILESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:9 is a protein kinase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:16 is 61% identical to human mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase 5 (GenBank ID g1679668) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:16 also contains a eukaryotic protein kinase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFILESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:16 is a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:18 is 83% identical from residues 4 to 372 to mouse protein kinase (GenBank ID g406058) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:18 also contains a eukaryotic protein kinase domain and a PDZ domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFILESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:18 is a serine/threonine protein kinase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ID NO:19 is 95% identical, from residue M1 to residue V988, to Rattus norvegius mytonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinase (GenBank ID g2736151) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 0.0, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ID NO:19 also contains a protein kinase C terminal domain and a eukaryotic protein kinase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and additional BLAST analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ID NO:19 is a protein kinase.

SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10–15, SEQ ID NO:17, and SEQ ID NO:20 were analyzed and annotated in a similar manner. The algorithms and parameters for the analysis of SEQ ID NO:1–20 are described in Table 7.

As shown in Table 4, the full length polynucleotide sequences of the present invention were assembled using cDNA sequences or coding (exon) sequences derived from genomic DNA, or any combination of these two types of sequences. Column 1 lists the polynucleotide sequence identification number (Polynucleotide SEQ ID NO:), the corresponding Incyte polynucleotide consensus sequence number (Incyte ID) for each polynucleotide of the invention, and the length of each polynucleotide sequence in basepairs. Column 2 shows the nucleotide start (5′) and stop (3′) positions of the cDNA and/or genomic sequences used to assemble the full length polynucleotide sequences of the invention, and of fragments of the polynucleotide sequences which are useful, for example, in hybridization or amplification technologies that identify SEQ ID NO:21–40 or that distinguish between SEQ ID NO:21–40 and related polynucleotide sequences.

The polynucleotide fragments described in Column 2 of Table 4 may refer specifically, for example, to Incyte cDNAs derived from tissue-specific cDNA libraries or from pooled cDNA libraries. Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may refer to GenBank cDNAs or ESTs which contributed to the assembly of the full length polynucleotide sequences. In addition, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may identify sequences derived from the ENSEMBL (The Sanger Centre, Cambridge, UK) database (i.e., those sequences including the designation “ENST”). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may be derived from the NCBI RefSeq Nucleotide Sequence Records Database (i.e., those sequences including the designation “NM” or “NT”) or the NCBI RefSeq Protein Sequence Records (i.e., those sequences including the designation “NP”). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may refer to assemblages of both cDNA and Genscan-predicted exons brought together by an “exon stitching” algorithm. For example, a polynucleotide sequence identified as FL_XXXXXX_N_(1—)N_(2—)YYYYY_N_(3—)N₄ represents a “stitched” sequence in which XXXXXX is the identification number of the cluster of sequences to which the algorithm was applied, and YYYYY is the number of the prediction generated by the algorithm, and N_(1,2,3 . . .) , if present, represent specific exons that may have been manually edited during analysis (See Example V). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments in column 2 may refer to assemblages of exons brought together by an “exon-stretching” algorithm. For example, a polynucleotide sequence identified as FLXXXXXX_gAAAAA_gBBBBB_(—)1_N is a “stretched” sequence, with XXXXXX being the Incyte project identification number, gAAAAA being the GenBank identification number of the human genomic sequence to which the “exon-stretching” algorithm was applied, gBBBBB being the GenBank identification number or NCBI RefSeq identification number of the nearest GenBank protein homolog, and N referring to specific exons (See Example V). In instances where a RefSeq sequence was used as a protein homolog for the “exon-stretching” algorithm, a RefSeq identifier (denoted by “NM,” “NP,” or “NT”) may be used in place of the GenBank identifier (i.e., gBBBBB).

Alternatively, a prefix identifies component sequences that were hand-edited, predicted from genomic DNA sequences, or derived from a combination of sequence analysis methods. The following Table lists examples of component sequence prefixes and corresponding sequence analysis methods associated with the prefixes (see Example IV and Example V).

Prefix Type of analysis and/or examples of programs GNN, Exon prediction from genomic sequences using, for example, GFG, GENSCAN (Stanford University, CA, U.S.A.) or FGENES ENST (Computer Genomics Group, The Sanger Centre, Cambridge, UK). GBI Hand-edited analysis of genomic sequences. FL Stitched or stretched genomic sequences (see Example V). INCY Full length transcript and exon prediction from mapping of EST sequences to the genome. Genomic location and EST composition data are combined to predict the exons and resulting transcript.

In some cases, Incyte cDNA coverage redundant with the sequence coverage shown in Table 4 was obtained to confirm the final consensus polynucleotide sequence, but the relevant Incyte cDNA identification numbers are not shown.

Table 5 shows the representative cDNA libraries for those full length polynucleotide sequences which were assembled using Incyte cDNA sequences. The representative cDNA library is the Incyte cDNA library which is most frequently represented by the Incyte cDNA sequences which were used to assemble and confirm the above polynucleotide sequences. The tissues and vectors which were used to construct the cDNA libraries shown in Table 5 are described in Table 6.

The invention also encompasses KAP variants. A preferred KAP variant is one which has at least about 80%, or alternatively at least about 90%, or even at least about 95% amino acid sequence identity to the KAP amino acid sequence, and which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of KAP.

The invention also encompasses polynucleotides which encode KAP. In a particular embodiment, the invention encompasses a polynucleotide sequence comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40, which encodes KAP. The polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO:21–40, as presented in the Sequence Listing, embrace the equivalent RNA sequences, wherein occurrences of the nitrogenous base thymine are replaced with uracil, and the sugar backbone is composed of ribose instead of deoxyribose.

The invention also encompasses a variant of a polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP. In particular, such a variant polynucleotide sequence will have at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or even at least about 95% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP. A particular aspect of the invention encompasses a variant of a polynucleotide sequence comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40 which has at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or even at least about 95% polynucleotide sequence identity to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:21–40. Any one of the polynucleotide variants described above can encode an amino acid sequence which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of KAP.

In addition, or in the alternative, a polynucleotide variant of the invention is a splice variant of a polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP. A splice variant may have portions which have significant sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP, but will generally have a greater or lesser number of polynucleotides due to additions or deletions of blocks of sequence arising from alternate splicing of exons during mRNA processing. A splice variant may have less than about 70%, or alternatively less than about 60%, or alternatively less than about 50% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP over its entire length; however, portions of the splice variant will have at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or alternatively at least about 95%, or alternatively 100% polynucleotide sequence identity to portions of the polynucleotide sequence encoding KAP. Any one of the splice variants described above can encode an amino acid sequence which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of KAP.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a multitude of polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP, some bearing minimal similarity to the polynucleotide sequences of any known and naturally occurring gene, may be produced. Thus, the invention contemplates each and every possible variation of polynucleotide sequence that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices. These combinations are made in accordance with the standard triplet genetic code as applied to the polynucleotide sequence of naturally occurring KAP, and all such variations are to be considered as being specifically disclosed.

Although nucleotide sequences which encode KAP and its variants are generally capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequence of the naturally occurring KAP under appropriately selected conditions of stringency, it may be advantageous to produce nucleotide sequences encoding KAP or its derivatives possessing a substantially different codon usage, e.g., inclusion of non-naturally occurring codons. Codons may be selected to increase the rate at which expression of the peptide occurs in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host in accordance with the frequency with which particular codons are utilized by the host. Other reasons for substantially altering the nucleotide sequence encoding KAP and its derivatives without altering the encoded amino acid sequences include the production of RNA transcripts having more desirable properties, such as a greater half-life, than transcripts produced from the naturally occurring sequence.

The invention also encompasses production of DNA sequences which encode KAP and KAP derivatives, or fragments thereof, entirely by synthetic chemistry. After production, the synthetic sequence may be inserted into any of the many available expression vectors and cell systems using reagents well known in the art. Moreover, synthetic chemistry may be used to introduce mutations into a sequence encoding KAP or any fragment thereof.

Also encompassed by the invention are polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the claimed polynucleotide sequences, and, in particular, to those shown in SEQ ID NO:21–40 and fragments thereof under various conditions of stringency. (See, e.g., Wahl, G. M. and S. L. Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:399–407; Kimmel, A. R. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:507–511.) Hybridization conditions, including annealing and wash conditions, are described in “Definitions.”

Methods for DNA sequencing are well known in the art and may be used to practice any of the embodiments of the invention. The methods may employ such enzymes as the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, SEQUENASE (US Biochemical, Cleveland Ohio), Taq polymerase (Applied Biosystems), thermostable T7 polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway N.J.), or combinations of polymerases and proofreading exonucleases such as those found in the ELONGASE amplification system (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg Md.). Preferably, sequence preparation is automated with machines such as the MICROLAB 2200 liquid transfer system (Hamilton, Reno Nev.), PTC200 thermal cycler (MJ Research, Watertown Mass.) and ABI CATALYST 800 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems). Sequencing is then carried out using either the ABI 373 or 377 DNA sequencing system (Applied Biosystems), the MEGABACE 1000 DNA sequencing system (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale Calif.), or other systems known in the art. The resulting sequences are analyzed using a variety of algorithms which are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, F. M. (1997) Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York N.Y., unit 7.7; Meyers, R. A. (1995) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Wiley VCH, New York N.Y., pp. 856–853.)

The nucleic acid sequences encoding KAP may be extended utilizing a partial nucleotide sequence and employing various PCR-based methods known in the art to detect upstream sequences, such as promoters and regulatory elements. For example, one method which may be employed, restriction-site PCR, uses universal and nested primers to amplify unknown sequence from genomic DNA within a cloning vector. (See, e.g., Sarkar, G. (1993) PCR Methods Applic. 2:318–322.) Another method, inverse PCR, uses primers that extend in divergent directions to amplify unknown sequence from a circularized template. The template is derived from restriction fragments comprising a known genomic locus and surrounding sequences. (See, e.g., Triglia, T. et al. (1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16:8186.) A third method, capture PCR, involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to known sequences in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA. (See, e.g., Lagerstrom, M. et al. (1991) PCR Methods Applic. 1:111–119.) In this method, multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations may be used to insert an engineered double-stranded sequence into a region of unknown sequence before performing PCR. Other methods which may be used to retrieve unknown sequences are known in the art. (See, e.g., Parker, J. D. et al. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19:3055–3060). Additionally, one may use PCR, nested primers, and PROMOTERFINDER libraries (Clontech, Palo Alto Calif.) to walk genomic DNA. This procedure avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions. For all PCR-based methods, primers may be designed using commercially available software, such as OLIGO 4.06 primer analysis software (National Biosciences, Plymouth Minn.) or another appropriate program, to be about 22 to 30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of about 50% or more, and to anneal to the template at temperatures of about 68° C. to 72° C.

When screening for full length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. In addition, random-primed libraries, which often include sequences containing the 5′ regions of genes, are preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries may be useful for extension of sequence into 5′ non-transcribed regulatory regions.

Capillary electrophoresis systems which are commercially available may be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of sequencing or PCR products. In particular, capillary sequencing may employ flowable polymers for electrophoretic separation, four different nucleotide-specific, laser-stimulated fluorescent dyes, and a charge coupled device camera for detection of the emitted wavelengths. Output/light intensity may be converted to electrical signal using appropriate software (e.g., GENOTYPER and SEQUENCE NAVIGATOR, Applied Biosystems), and the entire process from loading of samples to computer analysis and electronic data display may be computer controlled. Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for sequencing small DNA fragments which may be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotide sequences or fragments thereof which encode KAP may be cloned in recombinant DNA molecules that direct expression of KAP, or fragments or functional equivalents thereof, in appropriate host cells. Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence may be produced and used to express KAP.

The nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be engineered using methods generally known in the art in order to alter KAP-encoding sequences for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, modification of the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the gene product. DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides may be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences. For example, oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis may be used to introduce mutations that create new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, and so forth.

The nucleotides of the present invention may be subjected to DNA shuffling techniques such as MOLECULARBREEDING (Maxygen Inc., Santa Clara Calif.; described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,458; Chang, C. -C. et al. (1999) Nat. Biotechnol. 17:793–797; Christians, F. C. et al. (1999) Nat Biotechnol. 17:259–264; and Crameri, A. et al. (1996) Nat. Biotechnol. 14:315–319) to alter or improve the biological properties of KAP, such as its biological or enzymatic activity or its ability to bind to other molecules or compounds. DNA shuffling is a process by which a library of gene variants is produced using PCR-mediated recombination of gene fragments. The library is then subjected to selection or screening procedures that identify those gene variants with the desired properties. These preferred variants may then be pooled and further subjected to recursive rounds of DNA shuffling and selection/screening. Thus, genetic diversity is created through “artificial” breeding and rapid molecular evolution. For example, fragments of a single gene containing random point mutations may be recombined, screened, and then reshuffled until the desired properties are optimized. Alternatively, fragments of a given gene may be recombined with fragments of homologous genes in the same gene family, either from the same or different species, thereby maximizing the genetic diversity of multiple naturally occurring genes in a directed and controllable manner.

In another embodiment, sequences encoding KAP may be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art. (See, e.g., Caruthers, M. H. et al. (1980) Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 7:215–223; and Horn, T. et al. (1980) Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 7:225–232.) Alternatively, KAP itself or a fragment thereof may be synthesized using chemical methods. For example, peptide synthesis can be performed using various solution-phase or solid-phase techniques. (See, e.g., Creighton, T. (1984) Proteins, Structures and Molecular Properties, W H Freeman, New York N.Y., pp. 5560; and Roberge, J. Y. et al. (1995) Science 269:202–204.) Automated synthesis may be achieved using the ABI 431A peptide synthesizer (Applied Biosystems). Additionally, the amino acid sequence of KAP, or any part thereof, may be altered during direct synthesis and/or combined with sequences from other proteins, or any part thereof, to produce a variant polypeptide or a polypeptide having a sequence of a naturally occurring polypeptide.

The peptide may be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography. (See, e.g., Chiez, R. M. and F. Z. Regnier (1990) Methods Enzymol. 182:392–421.) The composition of the synthetic peptides may be confirmed by amino acid analysis or by sequencing. (See, e.g., Creighton, supra, pp. 28–53.)

In order to express a biologically active KAP, the nucleotide sequences encoding KAP or derivatives thereof may be inserted into an appropriate expression vector, i.e., a vector which contains the necessary elements for transcriptional and translational control of the inserted coding sequence in a suitable host. These elements include regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, constitutive and inducible promoters, and 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions in the vector and in polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP. Such elements may vary in their strength and specificity. Specific initiation signals may also be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding KAP. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences, e.g. the Kozak sequence. In cases where sequences encoding KAP and its initiation codon and upstream regulatory sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals including an in-frame ATG initiation codon should be provided by the vector. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons may be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers appropriate for the particular host cell system used. (See, e.g., Scharf, D. et al. (1994) Results Probl. Cell Differ. 20:125–162.)

Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art may be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding KAP and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. (See, e.g., Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview N.Y., ch. 4, 8, and 16–17; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (1995) Current Protocols in Molecular Biolog, John Wiley & Sons, New York N.Y., ch. 9, 13, and 16.)

A variety of expression vector/host systems may be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding KAP. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors; insect cell systems infected with viral expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus); plant cell systems transformed with viral expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV, or tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g., Ti or pBR322 plasmids); or animal cell systems. (See, e.g., Sambrook, supra; Ausubel, supra; Van Heeke, G. and S. M. Schuster (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503–5509; Engelhard, E. K. et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3224–3227; Sandig, V. et al. (1996) Hum Gene Ther. 7:1937–1945; Takamatsu, N. (1987) EMBO J. 6:307–311; The McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology (1992) McGraw Hill, New York N.Y., pp. 191–196; Logan, J. and T. Shenk (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655–3659; and Harrington, J. J. et al. (1997) Nat Genet. 15:345–355.) Expression vectors derived from retroviruses, adenoviruses, or herpes or vaccinia viruses, or from various bacterial plasmids, may be used for delivery of nucleotide sequences to the targeted organ, tissue, or cell population. (See, e.g., Di Nicola, M. et al. (1998) Cancer Gen. Ther. 5(6):350–356; Yu, M. et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90(13):6340–6344; Buller, R. M. et al. (1985) Nature 317(6040):813–815; McGregor, D. P. et al. (1994) Mol. Immunol. 31(3):219–226; and Verma, I. M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 389:239–242.) The invention is not limited by the host cell employed.

In bacterial systems, a number of cloning and expression vectors may be selected depending upon the use intended for polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP. For example, routine cloning, subcloning, and propagation of polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP can be achieved using a multifunctional E. coli vector such as PBLUESCRIPT (Stratagene, La Jolla Calif.) or PSPORT1 plasmid (Life Technologies). Ligation of sequences encoding KAP into the vector's multiple cloning site disrupts the lacZ gene, allowing a colorimetric screening procedure for identification of transformed bacteria containing recombinant molecules. In addition, these vectors may be useful for in vitro transcription, dideoxy sequencing, single strand rescue with helper phage, and creation of nested deletions in the cloned sequence. (See, e.g., Van Heeke, G. and S. M. Schuster (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503–5509.) When large quantities of KAP are needed, e.g. for the production of antibodies, vectors which direct high level expression of KAP may be used. For example, vectors containing the strong, inducible SP6 or T7 bacteriophage promoter may be used.

Yeast expression systems may be used for production of KAP. A number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters, such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH promoters, may be used in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Pichia pastoris. In addition, such vectors direct either the secretion or intracellular retention of expressed proteins and enable integration of foreign sequences into the host genome for stable propagation. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra; Bitter, G. A. et al. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 153:516–544; and Scorer, C. A. et al. (1994) Bio/Technology 12:181–184.)

Plant systems may also be used for expression of KAP. Transcription of sequences encoding KAP may be driven by viral promoters, e.g., the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu, N. (1987) EMBO J. 6:307–311). Alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO or heat shock promoters may be used. (See, e.g., Coruzzi, G. et al. (1984) EMBO J. 3:1671–1680; Broglie, R. et al. (1984) Science 224:838–843; and Winter, J. et al. (1991) Results Probl. Cell Differ. 17:85–105.) These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or pathogen-mediated transfection. (See, e.g., The McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology (1992) McGraw Hill, New York N.Y., pp. 191–196.)

In mammalian cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, sequences encoding KAP may be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex consisting of the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a non-essential E1 or E3 region of the viral genome may be used to obtain infective virus which expresses KAP in host cells. (See, e.g., Logan, J. and T. Shenk (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655–3659.) In addition, transcription enhancers, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, may be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells. SV40 or EBV-based vectors may also be used for high-level protein expression.

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) may also be employed to deliver larger fragments of DNA than can be contained in and expressed from a plasmid. HACs of about 6 kb to 10 Mb are constructed and delivered via conventional delivery methods (liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles) for therapeutic purposes. (See, e.g., Harrington, J. J. et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 15:345–355.)

For long term production of recombinant proteins in mammalian systems, stable expression of KAP in cell lines is preferred. For example, sequences encoding KAP can be transformed into cell lines using expression vectors which may contain viral origins of replication and/or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene on the same or on a separate vector. Following the introduction of the vector, cells may be allowed to grow for about 1 to 2 days in enriched media before being switched to selective media. The purpose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to a selective agent, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells which successfully express the introduced sequences. Resistant clones of stably transformed cells may be propagated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type.

Any number of selection systems may be used to recover transformed cell lines. These include, but are not limited to, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase genes, for use in tk⁻ and apr⁻ cells, respectively. (See, e.g., Wigler, M. et al. (1977) Cell 11:223–232; Lowy, I. et al. (1980) Cell. 22:817–823.) Also, antimetabolite, antibiotic, or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection. For example, dhfr confers resistance to methotrexate; neo confers resistance to the aminoglycosides neomycin and G-418; and als and pat confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and phosphinotricin acetyltransferase, respectively. (See, e.g., Wigler, M. et al. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567–3570; Colbere-Garapin, F. et al. (1981) J. Mol. Biol. 150:1–14.) Additional selectable genes have been described, e.g., trpB and hisD, which alter cellular requirements for metabolites. (See, e.g., Hartan, S. C. and R. C. Mulligan (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:8047–8051.) Visible markers, e.g., anthocyanins, green fluorescent proteins (GFP; Clontech), β glucuronidase and its substrate β-glucuronide, or luciferase and its substrate luciferin may be used. These markers can be used not only to identify transformants, but also to quantify the amount of transient or stable protein expression attributable to a specific vector system. (See, e.g., Rhodes, C. A. (1995) Methods Mol. Biol. 55:121–131.)

Although the presence/absence of marker gene expression suggests that the gene of interest is also present, the presence and expression of the gene may need to be confirmed. For example, if the sequence encoding KAP is inserted within a marker gene sequence, transformed cells containing sequences encoding KAP can be identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding KAP under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the tandem gene as well.

In general, host cells that contain the nucleic acid sequence encoding KAP and that express KAP may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations, PCR amplification, and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane, solution, or chip based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid or protein sequences.

Immunological methods for detecting and measuring the expression of KAP using either specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies are known in the art. Examples of such techniques include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), radioimmunoassays (RIAs), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering epitopes on KAP is preferred, but a competitive binding assay may be employed. These and other assays are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Hampton, R. et al. (1990) Serological Methods, a Laboratory Manual, APS Press, St. Paul Minn., Sect. IV; Coligan, J. E. et al. (1997) Current Protocols in Immunology, Greene Pub. Associates and Wiley-Interscience, New York N.Y.; and Pound, J. D. (1998) Immunochemical Protocols, Humana Press, Totowa N.J.)

A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known by those skilled in the art and may be used in various nucleic acid and amino acid assays. Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding KAP include oligolabeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide. Alternatively, the sequences encoding KAP, or any fragments thereof, may be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6 and labeled nucleotides. These procedures may be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits, such as those provided by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Promega (Madison Wis.), and US Biochemical. Suitable reporter molecules or labels which may be used for ease of detection include radionuclides, enzymes, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.

Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture. The protein produced by a transformed cell may be secreted or retained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode KAP may be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of KAP through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane.

In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen for its ability to modulate expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed protein in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation. Post-translational processing which cleaves a “prepro” or “pro” form of the protein may also be used to specify protein targeting, folding, and/or activity. Different host cells which have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e.g., CHO, HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and WI38) are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas Va.) and may be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein.

In another embodiment of the invention, natural, modified, or recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding KAP may be ligated to a heterologous sequence resulting in translation of a fusion protein in any of the aforementioned host systems. For example, a chimeric KAP protein containing a heterologous moiety that can be recognized by a commercially available antibody may facilitate the screening of peptide libraries for inhibitors of KAP activity. Heterologous protein and peptide moieties may also facilitate purification of fusion proteins using commercially available affinity matrices. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose binding protein (MBP), thioredoxin (Trx), calmodulin binding peptide (CBP), ⁶-His, FLAG, c-myc, and hemagglutinin (HA). GST, MBP, Trx, CBP, and 6His enable purification of their cognate fusion proteins on immobilized glutathione, maltose, phenylarsine oxide, calmodulin, and metal-chelate resins, respectively. FLAG, c-myc, and hemagglutinin (HA) enable immunoaffinity purification of fusion proteins using commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognize these epitope tags. A fusion protein may also be engineered to contain a proteolytic cleavage site located between the KAP encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that KAP may be cleaved away from the heterologous moiety following purification. Methods for fusion protein expression and purification are discussed in Ausubel (1995, supra, ch. 10). A variety of commercially available kits may also be used to facilitate expression and purification of fusion proteins.

In a further embodiment of the invention, synthesis of radiolabeled KAP may be achieved in vitro using the TNT rabbit reticulocyte lysate or wheat germ extract system (Promega). These systems couple transcription and translation of protein-coding sequences operably associated with the T7, T3, or SP6 promoters. Translation takes place in the presence of a radiolabeled amino acid precursor, for example, ³⁵S-methionine.

KAP of the present invention or fragments thereof may be used to screen for compounds that specifically bind to KAP. At least one and up to a plurality of test compounds may be screened for specific binding to KAP. Examples of test compounds include antibodies, oligonucleotides, proteins (e.g., receptors), or small molecules.

In one embodiment, the compound thus identified is closely related to the natural ligand of KAP, e.g., a ligand or fragment thereof, a natural substrate, a structural or functional mimetic, or a natural binding partner. (See, e.g., Coligan, J. E. et al. (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology 1(2):Chapter 5.) Similarly, the compound can be closely related to the natural receptor to which KAP binds, or to at least a fragment of the receptor, e.g., the ligand binding site. In either case, the compound can be rationally designed using known techniques. In one embodiment, screening for these compounds involves producing appropriate cells which express KAP, either as a secreted protein or on the cell membrane. Preferred cells include cells from mammals, yeast, Drosophila, or E. coli. Cells expressing KAP or cell membrane fractions which contain KAP are then contacted with a test compound and binding, stimulation, or inhibition of activity of either KAP or the compound is analyzed.

An assay may simply test binding of a test compound to the polypeptide, wherein binding is detected by a fluorophore, radioisotope, enzyme conjugate, or other detectable label. For example, the assay may comprise the steps of combining at least one test compound with KAP, either in solution or affixed to a solid support, and detecting the binding of KAP to the compound. Alternatively, the assay may detect or measure binding of a test compound in the presence of a labeled competitor. Additionally, the assay may be carried out using cell-free preparations, chemical libraries, or natural product mixtures, and the test compound(s) may be free in solution or affixed to a solid support.

KAP of the present invention or fragments thereof may be used to screen for compounds that modulate the activity of KAP. Such compounds may include agonists, antagonists, or partial or inverse agonists. In one embodiment, an assay is performed under conditions permissive for KAP activity, wherein KAP is combined with at least one test compound, and the activity of KAP in the presence of a test compound is compared with the activity of KAP in the absence of the test compound. A change in the activity of KAP in the presence of the test compound is indicative of a compound that modulates the activity of KAP. Alternatively, a test compound is combined with an in vitro or cell-free system comprising KAP under conditions suitable for KAP activity, and the assay is performed. In either of these assays, a test compound which modulates the activity of KAP may do so indirectly and need not come in direct contact with the test compound. At least one and up to a plurality of test compounds may be screened.

In another embodiment, polynucleotides encoding KAP or their mammalian homologs may be “knocked out” in an animal model system using homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Such techniques are well known in the art and are useful for the generation of animal models of human disease. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,383 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,337.) For example, mouse ES cells, such as the mouse 129/SvJ cell line, are derived from the early mouse embryo and grown in culture. The ES cells are transformed with a vector containing the gene of interest disrupted by a marker gene, e.g., the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (neo; Capecchi, M. R. (1989) Science 244:1288–1292). The vector integrates into the corresponding region of the host genome by homologous recombination. Alternatively, homologous recombination takes place using the Cre-loxP system to knockout a gene of interest in a tissue- or developmental stage-specific manner (Marth, J. D. (1996) Clin. Invest. 97:1999–2002; Wagner, K. U. et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:4323–4330). Transformed ES cells are identified and microinjected into mouse cell blastocysts such as those from the C57BL/6 mouse strain. The blastocysts are surgically transferred to pseudopregnant dams, and the resulting chimeric progeny are genotyped and bred to produce heterozygous or homozygous strains. Transgenic animals thus generated may be tested with potential therapeutic or toxic agents.

Polynucleotides encoding KAP may also be manipulated in vitro in ES cells derived from human blastocysts. Human ES cells have the potential to differentiate into at least eight separate cell lineages including endoderm, mesoderm, and ectodermal cell types. These cell lineages differentiate into, for example, neural cells, hematopoietic lineages, and cardiomyocytes (Thomson, J. A. et al. (1998) Science 282:1145–1147).

Polynucleotides encoding KAP can also be used to create “knockin” humanized animals (pigs) or transgenic animals (mice or rats) to model human disease. With knockin technology, a region of a polynucleotide encoding KAP is injected into animal ES cells, and the injected sequence integrates into the animal cell genome. Transformed cells are injected into blastulae, and the blastulae are implanted as described above. Transgenic progeny or inbred lines are studied and treated with potential pharmaceutical agents to obtain information on treatment of a human disease. Alternatively, a mammal inbred to overexpress KAP, e.g., by secreting KAP in its milk, may also serve as a convenient source of that protein (Janne, J. et al. (1998) Biotechnol. Annu. Rev. 4:55–74).

Therapeutics

Chemical and structural similarity, e.g., in the context of sequences and motifs, exists between regions of KAP and kinases and phosphatases. In addition, examples of tissues expressing KAP can be found in Table 6. Therefore, KAP appears to play a role in cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders, neurological disorders, disorders affecting growth and development, lipid disorders, cell proliferative disorders, and cancers. In the treatment of disorders associated with increased KAP expression or activity, it is desirable to decrease the expression or activity of KAP. In the treatment of disorders associated with decreased KAP expression or activity, it is desirable to increase the expression or activity of KAP.

Therefore, in one embodiment, KAP or a fragment or derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of KAP. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, a cardiovascular disorder such as arteriovenous fistula, atherosclerosis, hypertension, vasculitis, Raynaud's disease, aneurysms, arterial dissections, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis, vascular tumors,and complications of thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, vascular replacement, and coronary artery bypass graft: surgery, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease, degenerative valvular heart disease, calcific aortic valve stenosis, congenitally bicuspid aortic valve, mitral annular calcification, mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, endocarditis of systemic lupus erythematosus, carcinoid heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, neoplastic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and complications of cardiac transplantation, congenital lung anomalies, atelectasis, pulmonary congestion and edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary infarction, pulmonary hypertension, vascular sclerosis, obstructive pulmonary disease, restrictive pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, bacterial pneumonia, viral and mycoplasmal pneumonia, lung abscess, pulmonary tuberculosis, diffuse interstitial diseases, pneumoconioses, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary eosinophilia bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes, Goodpasture's syndromes, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, pulmonary involvement in collagen-vascular disorders, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, lung tumors, inflammatory and noninflammatory pleural efflusions, pneumothorax, pleural tumors, drug-induced lung disease, radiation-induced lung disease, and complications of lung transplantation; an immune disorder such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, ankylosing spondylitis, amyloidosis, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune polyendocrinopathycandidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), bronchitis, cholecystitis, contact dermatitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, episodic lymphopenia with lymphocytotoxins, erythroblastosis fetalis, erythema nodosum, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, gout, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic anaphylaxis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, thrombocytopenic purpura, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, Werner syndrome, complications of cancer, hemodialysis, and extracorporeal circulation, viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal, and hehninthic infections, and trauma; a neurological disorder such as epilepsy, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, stroke, cerebral neoplasms, Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Huntington's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron disorders, progressive neural muscular atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, hereditary ataxias, multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, bacterial and viral meningitis, brain abscess, subdural empyema, epidural abscess, suppurative intracranial thrombophlebitis, myelitis and radiculitis, viral central nervous system disease, prion diseases including kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia, nutritional and metabolic diseases of the nervous system, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, cerebelloretinal hemangioblastomatosis, encephalotrigeminal syndrome, mental retardation and other developmental disorders of the central nervous system including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neuroskeletal disorders, autonomic nervous system disorders, cranial nerve disorders, spinal cord diseases, muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders, peripheral nervous system disorders, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, inherited, metabolic, endocrine, and toxic myopathies, myasthenia gravis, periodic paralysis, mental disorders including mood, anxiety, and schizophrenic disorders, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), akathesia, amnesia, catatonia, diabetic neuropathy, tardive dyskinesia, dystonias, paranoid psychoses, postherpetic neuralgia, Tourette's disorder, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and familial frontotemporal dementia; a growth and developmental disorder such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCID), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, renal tubular acidosis, anemia, Cushing's syndrome, achondroplastic dwarfism, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, gonadal dysgenesis, WAGR syndrome (Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation), Smith-Magenis syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia, hereditary keratodermas, hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and neurofibromatosis, hypothyroidism, hydrocephalus, seizure disorders such as Syndenham's chorea and cerebral palsy, spina bifida, anencephaly, craniorachischisis, congenital glaucoma, cataract, and sensorineural hearing loss; a lipid disorder such as fatty liver, cholestasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, carnitine deficiency, carnitine palnitoyltransferase deficiency, myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, hypertriglyceridemia, lipid storage disorders such Fabry's disease, Gaucher's disease, Niemann-Pick's disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy, GM₂ gangliosidosis, and ceroid lipofuscinosis, abetalipoproteinemia, Tangier disease, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, lipodystrophy, lipomatoses, acute panniculitis, disseminated fat necrosis, adiposis dolorosa, lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, minimal change disease, lipomas, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemia with hypertriglyceridemia, primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia, hypothyroidism, renal disease, liver disease, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, sitosterolemia, hypocholesterolemia, Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff's disease, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipemia, lipid myopathies, and obesity; and a cell proliferative disorder such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, and cancers including adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, teratocarcinoma, and, in particular, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, uterus, leukemias such as multiple myeloma, and lymphomas such as Hodgkin's disease.

In another embodiment, a vector capable of expressing KAP or a fragment or derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of KAP including, but not limited to, those described above.

In a further embodiment, a composition comprising a substantially purified KAP in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of KAP including, but not limited to, those provided above.

In still another embodiment, an agonist which modulates the activity of KAP may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of KAP including, but not limited to, those listed above.

In a further embodiment, an antagonist of KAP may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with increased expression or activity of KAP. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, those cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders, neurological disorders, disorders affecting growth and development, lipid disorders, cell proliferative disorders, and cancers described above. In one aspect, an antibody which specifically binds KAP may be used directly as an antagonist or indirectly as a targeting or delivery mechanism for bringing a pharmaceutical agent to cells or tissues which express KAP.

In an additional embodiment, a vector expressing the complement of the polynucleotide encoding KAP may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with increased expression or activity of KAP including, but not limited to, those described above.

In other embodiments, any of the proteins, antagonists, antibodies, agonists, complementary sequences, or vectors of the invention may be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles. The combination of therapeutic agents may act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.

An antagonist of KAP may be produced using methods which are generally known in the art. In particular, purified KAP may be used to produce antibodies or to screen libraries of pharmaceutical agents to identify those which specifically bind KAP. Antibodies to KAP may also be generated using methods that are well known in the art. Such antibodies may include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, and single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, and fragments produced by a Fab expression library. Neutralizing antibodies (i.e., those which inhibit dimer formation) are generally preferred for therapeutic use.

For the production of antibodies, various hosts including goats, rabbits, rats, mice, humans, and others may be immunized by injection with KAP or with any fragment or oligopeptide thereof which has immunogenic properties. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants may be used to increase immunological response. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, and surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, KLK, and dinitrophenol. Among adjuvants used in humans, BCG (bacilli Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum are especially preferable.

It is preferred that the oligopeptides, peptides, or fragments used to induce antibodies to KAP have an amino acid sequence consisting of at least about 5 amino acids, and generally will consist of at least about 10 amino acids. It is also preferable that these oligopeptides, peptides, or fragments are identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence of the natural protein. Short stretches of KAP amino acids may be fused with those of another protein, such as KLH, and antibodies to the chimeric molecule may be produced.

Monoclonal antibodies to KAP may be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique, and the EBV-hybridoma technique. (See, e.g., Kohler, G. et al. (1975) Nature 256:495–497; Kozbor, D. et al. (1985) J. Immunol. Methods 81:31–42; Cote, R. J. et al. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026–2030; and Cole, S. P. et al. (1984) Mol. Cell Biol. 62:109–120.)

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies,” such as the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibody genes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity and biological activity, can be used. (See, e.g., Morrison, S. L. et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851–6855; Neuberger, M. S. et al. (1984) Nature 312:604–608; and Takeda, S. et al. (1985) Nature 314:452–454.) Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies may be adapted, using methods known in the art, to produce KAP-specific single chain antibodies. Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypic composition, may be generated by chain shuffling from random combinatorial immunoglobulin libraries. (See, e.g., Burton, D. R. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:10134–10137.)

Antibodies may also be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature. (See, e.g., Orlandi, R. et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:3833–3837; Winter, G. et al. (1991) Nature 349:293–299.)

Antibody fragments which contain specific binding sites for KAP may also be generated. For example, such fragments include, but are not limited to, F(ab′)₂ fragments produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and Fab fragments generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)2 fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity. (See, e.g., Huse, W. D. et al. (1989) Science 246:1275–1281.)

Various immunoassays may be used for screening to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with established specificities are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between KAP and its specific antibody. A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering KAP epitopes is generally used, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed (Pound, supra).

Various methods such as Scatchard analysis in conjunction with radioimmunoassay techniques may be used to assess the affinity of antibodies for KAP. Affinity is expressed as an association constant, K_(a), which is defined as the molar concentration of KAP-antibody complex divided by the molar concentrations of free antigen and free antibody under equilibrium conditions. The K_(a) determined for a preparation of polyclonal antibodies, which are heterogeneous in their affinities for multiple KAP epitopes, represents the average affinity, or avidity, of the antibodies for KAP. The K_(a) determined for a preparation of monoclonal antibodies, which are monospecific for a particular KAP epitope, represents a true measure of affinity. High-affinity antibody preparations with K_(a) ranging from about 10⁹ to 10¹² L/mole are preferred for use in immunoassays in which the KAP-antibody complex must withstand rigorous manipulations. Low-affinity antibody preparations with K_(a) ranging from about 10⁶ to 10⁷ L/mole are preferred for use in immunopurification and similar procedures which ultimately require dissociation of KAP, preferably in active form, from the antibody (Catty, D. (1988) Antibodies, Volume I: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Washington DC; Liddell, J. E. and A. Cryer (1991) A Practical Guide to Monoclonal Antibodies, John Wiley & Sons, New York N.Y.).

The titer and avidity of polyclonal antibody preparations may be further evaluated to determine the quality and suitability of such preparations for certain downstream applications. For example, a polyclonal antibody preparation containing at least 1–2 mg specific antibody/ml, preferably 5–10 mg specific antibody/ml, is generally employed in procedures requiring precipitation of KAP-antibody complexes. Procedures for evaluating antibody specificity, titer, and avidity, and guidelines for antibody quality and usage in various applications, are generally available. (See, e.g., Catty, supra, and Coligan et al. supra.)

In another embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotides encoding KAP, or any fragment or complement thereof, may be used for therapeutic purposes. In one aspect, modifications of gene expression can be achieved by designing complementary sequences or antisense molecules (DNA, RNA, PNA, or modified oligonucleotides) to the coding or regulatory regions of the gene encoding KAP. Such technology is well known in the art, and antisense oligonucleotides or larger fragments can be designed from various locations along the coding or control regions of sequences encoding KAP. (See, e.g., Agrawal, S., ed. (1996) Antisense Therapeutics, Humana Press Inc., Totawa N.J.)

In therapeutic use, any gene delivery system suitable for introduction of the antisense sequences into appropriate target cells can be used. Antisense sequences can be delivered intracellularly in the form of an expression plasmid which, upon transcription, produces a sequence complementary to at least a portion of the cellular sequence encoding the target protein. (See, e.g., Slater, J. E. et al. (1998) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 102(3):469–475; and Scanlon, K. J. et al. (1995) 9(13): 1288–1296.) Antisense sequences can also be introduced intracellularly through the use of viral vectors, such as retrovirus and adeno-associated virus vectors. (See, e.g., Miller, A. D. (1990) Blood 76:271; Ausubel, supra; Uckert, W. and W. Walther (1994) Pharmacol. Ther. 63(3):323–347.) Other gene delivery mechanisms include liposome-derived systems, artificial viral envelopes, and other systems known in the art. (See, e.g., Rossi, J. J. (1995) Br. Med. Bull. 51(1):217–225; Boado, R. J. et al. (1998) J. Pharm. Sci. 87(11):1308–1315; and Morris, M. C. et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25(14):2730–2736.)

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding KAP may be used for somatic or germline gene therapy. Gene therapy may be performed to (i) correct a genetic deficiency (e.g., in the cases of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)-X1 disease characterized by X-linked inheritance (Cavazzana-Calvo, M. et al. (2000) Science 288:669–672), severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome associated with an inherited adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency (Blaese, R. M. et al. (1995) Science 270:475–480; Bordignon, C. et al. (1995) Science 270:470–475), cystic fibrosis (Zabner, J. et al. (1993) Cell 75:207–216; Crystal, R. G. et al. (1995) Hum. Gene Therapy 6:643–666; Crystal, R. G. et al. (1995) Hum. Gene Therapy 6:667–703), thalassamias, familial hypercholesterolemia, and hemophilia resulting from Factor VIII or Factor IX deficiencies (Crystal, R. G. (1995) Science 270:404–410; Verma, I. M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 389:239–242)), (ii) express a conditionally lethal gene product (e.g., in the case of cancers which result from unregulated cell proliferation), or (iii) express a protein which affords protection against intracellular parasites (e.g., against human retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Baltimore, D. (1988) Nature 335:395–396; Poeschla, E. et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:11395–11399), hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HCV); fungal parasites, such as Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis; and protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi). In the case where a genetic deficiency in KAP expression or regulation causes disease, the expression of KAP from an appropriate population of transduced cells may alleviate the clinical manifestations caused by the genetic deficiency.

In a further embodiment of the invention, diseases or disorders caused by deficiencies in KAP are treated by constructing mammalian expression vectors encoding KAP and introducing these vectors by mechanical means into KAP-deficient cells. Mechanical transfer technologies for use with cells in vivo or ex vitro include (i) direct DNA microinjection into individual cells, (ii) ballistic gold particle delivery, (ii) liposome-mediated transfection, (iv) receptor-mediated gene transfer, and (v) the use of DNA transposons (Morgan, R. A. and W. F. Anderson (1993) Annu. Rev. Biochem 62:191–217; Ivics, Z. (1997) Cell 91:501–510; Boulay, J-L. and IL Récipon (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:445–450).

Expression vectors that may be effective for the expression of KAP include, but are not limited to, the PCDNA 3.1, EPITAG, PRCCMV2, PREP, PVAX, PCR2-TOPOTA vectors (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.), PCMV-SCRIPT, PCMV-TAG, PEGSHIPERV (Stratagene, La Jolla Calif.), and PTET-OFF, PTET-ON, PTRE2, PTRE2-LUC, PTK-HYG (Clontech, Palo Alto Calif.). KAP may be expressed using (i) a constitutively active promoter, (e.g., from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), SV40 virus, thymidine kinase (TK), or β-actin genes), (ii) an inducible promoter (e.g., the tetracycline-regulated promoter (Gossen, M. and H. Bujard (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5547–5551; Gossen, M. et al. (1995) Science 268:1766–1769; Rossi, F. M. V. and H. M. Blau (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:451–456), commercially available in the T-REX plasmid (Invitrogen)); the ecdysone-inducible promoter (available in the plasmids PVGRXR and PIND; Invitrogen); the FK506/rapamycin inducible promoter; or the RU486/mifepristone inducible promoter (Rossi, F. M. V. and H. M. Blau, supra)), or (iii) a tissue-specific promoter or the native promoter of the endogenous gene encoding KAP from a normal individual.

Commercially available liposome transformation kits (e.g., the PERFECT LIPID TRANSFECTION KIT, available from Invitrogen) allow one with ordinary skill in the art to deliver polynucleotides to target cells in culture and require minimal effort to optimize experimental parameters. In the alternative, transformation is performed using the calcium phosphate method (Graham, F. L. and A. J. Eb (1973) Virology 52:456–467), or by electroporation (Neumann, E. et al. (1982) EMBO J. 1:841–845). The introduction of DNA to primary cells requires modification of these standardized mammalian transfection protocols.

In another embodiment of the invention, diseases or disorders caused by genetic defects with respect to KAP expression are treated by constructing a retrovirus vector consisting of (i) the polynucleotide encoding KAP under the control of an independent promoter or the retrovirus long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter, (ii) appropriate RNA packaging signals, and (iii) a Rev-responsive element (RRE) along with additional retrovirms cis-acting RNA sequences and coding sequences required for efficient vector propagation. Retrovirus vectors (e.g., PFB and PFBNEO) are commercially available (Stratagene) and are based on published data (Riviere, I. et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6733–6737), incorporated by reference herein. The vector is propagated in an appropriate vector producing cell line (VPCL) that expresses an envelope gene with a tropism for receptors on the target cells or a promiscuous envelope protein such as VSVg (Armentano, D. et al. (1987) J. Virol. 61:1647–1650; Bender, M. A. et al. (1987) J. Virol. 61:1639–1646; Adam, M. A. and A. D. Miller (1988) J. Virol. 62:3802–3806; Dull, T. et al. (1998) J. Virol. 72:8463–8471; Zufferey R. et al. (1998) J. Virol. 72:9873–9880). U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,434 to Rigg (“Method for obtaining retrovirus packaging cell lines producing high transducing efficiency retroviral supernatant”) discloses a method for obtaining retrovirus packaging cell lines and is hereby incorporated by reference. Propagation of retrovirus vectors, transduction of a population of cells (e.g., CD4⁺ T-cells), and the return of transduced cells to a patient are procedures well known to persons skilled in the art of gene therapy and have been well documented (Ranga, U. et al. (1997) J. Virol. 71:7020–7029; Bauer, G. et al. (1997) Blood 89:2259–2267; Bonyhadi, M. L. (1997) J. Virol. 71:4707–4716; Ranga, U. et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:1201–1206; Su, L. (1997) Blood 89:2283–2290).

In the alternative, an adenovirus-based gene therapy delivery system is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding KAP to cells which have one or more genetic abnormalities with respect to the expression of KAP. The construction and packaging of adenovirus-based vectors are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art. Replication defective adenovirus vectors have proven to be versatile for importing genes encoding immunoregulatory proteins into intact islets in the pancreas (Csete, M. E. et al. (1995) Transplantation 27:263–268). Potentially useful adenoviral vectors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,618 to Armentano (“Adenovirus vectors for gene therapy”), hereby incorporated by reference. For adenoviral vectors, see also Antinozzi, P. A. et al. (1999) Annu. Rev. Nutr. 19:511–544 and Verma, I. M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 18:389:239–242, both incorporated by reference herein.

In another alternative, a herpes-based, gene therapy delivery system is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding KAP to target cells which have one or more genetic abnormalities with respect to the expression of KAP. The use of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors may be especially valuable for introducing KAP to cells of the central nervous system, for which HSV has a tropism. The construction and packaging of herpes-based vectors are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art. A replication-competent herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-based vector has been used to deliver a reporter gene to the eyes of primates (Liu, X. et al. (1999) Exp. Eye Res. 169:385–395). The construction of a HSV-1 virus vector has also been disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,413 to DeLuca (“Herpes simplex virus strans for gene transfer”), which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,413 teaches the use of recombinant HSV d92 which consists of a genome containing at least one exogenous gene to be transferred to a cell under the control of the appropriate promoter for purposes including human gene therapy. Also taught by this patent are the construction and use of recombinant HSV strains deleted for ICP4, ICP27 and ICP22. For HSV vectors, see also Goins, W. F. et al. (1999) J. Virol. 73:519–532 and Xu, H. et al. (1994) Dev. Biol. 163:152–161, hereby incorporated by reference. The manipulation of cloned herpesvirus sequences, the generation of recombinant virus following the transfection of multiple plasmids containing different segments of the large herpesvirus genomes, the growth and propagation of herpesvirus, and the infection of cells with herpesvirus are techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In another alternative, an alphavirus (positive, single-stranded RNA virus) vector is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding KAP to target cells. The biology of the prototypic alphavirus, Semliki Forest Virus (SFV), has been studied extensively and gene transfer vectors have been based on the SFV genome (Garoff, H. and K.-J. Li (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:464–469). During alphavirus RNA replication, a subgenomic RNA is generated that normally encodes the viral capsid proteins. This subgenomic RNA replicates to higher levels than the full length genomic RNA, resulting in the overproduction of capsid proteins relative to the viral proteins with enzymatic activity (e.g., protease and polymerase). Similarly, inserting the coding sequence for KAP into the alphavirus genome in place of the capsid-coding region results in the production of a large number of KAP-coding RNAs and the synthesis of high levels of KAP in vector transduced cells. While alphavirus infection is typically associated with cell lysis within a few days, the ability to establish a persistent infection in hamster normal kidney cells (BHK-21) with a variant of Sindbis virus (SIN) indicates that the lytic replication of alphaviruses can be altered to suit the needs of the gene therapy application (Dryga, S. A. et al. (1997) Virology 228:74–83). The wide host range of alphaviruses will allow the introduction of KAP into a variety of cell types. The specific transduction of a subset of cells in a population may require the sorting of cells prior to transduction. The methods of manipulating infectious cDNA clones of alphaviruses, performing alphavirus cDNA and RNA transfections, and performing alphavirus infections, are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art.

Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e.g., between about positions −10 and +10 from the start site, may also be employed to inhibit gene expression. Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using triple helix base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or regulatory molecules. Recent therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature. (See, e.g., Gee, J. E. et al. (1994) in Huber, B. E. and B. I. Carr, Molecular and Immunologic Approaches, Futura Publishing, Mt. Kisco N.Y., pp. 163–177.) A complementary sequence or antisense molecule may also be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes.

Ribozymes, enzymatic RNA molecules, may also be used to catalyze the specific cleavage of RNA. The mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage. For example, engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules may specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of sequences encoding KAP.

Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within any potential RNA target are initially identified by scanning the target molecule for ribozyme cleavage sites, including the following sequences: GUA, GUU, and GUC. Once identified, short RNA sequences of between 15 and 20 ribonucleotides, corresponding to the region of the target gene containing the cleavage site, may be evaluated for secondary structural features which may render the oligonucleotide inoperable. The suitability of candidate targets may also be evaluated by testing accessibility to hybridization with complementary oligonucleotides using ribonuclease protection assays.

Complementary ribonucleic acid molecules and ribozymes of the invention may be prepared by any method known in the art for the synthesis of nucleic acid molecules. These include techniques for chemically synthesizing oligonucleotides such as solid phase phosphoramidite chemical synthesis. Alternatively, RNA molecules may be generated by in vitro and in vivo transcription of DNA sequences encoding KAP. Such DNA sequences may be incorporated into a wide variety of vectors with suitable RNA polymerase promoters such as T7 or SP6. Alternatively, these cDNA constructs that synthesize complementary RNA, constitutively or inducibly, can be introduced into cell lines, cells, or tissues.

RNA molecules may be modified to increase intracellular stability and half-life. Possible modifications include, but are not limited to, the addition of flanking sequences at the 5′ and/or 3′ ends of the molecule, or the use of phosphorothioate or 2′O-methyl rather than phosphodiesterase linkages within the backbone of the molecule. This concept is inherent in the production of PNAs and can be extended in all of these molecules by the inclusion of nontraditional bases such as inosine, queosine, and wybutosine, as well as acetyl-, methyl-, thio-, and similarly modified forms of adenine, cytidine, guanine, thymine, and uridine which are not as easily recognized by endogenous endonucleases.

An additional embodiment of the invention encompasses a method for screening for a compound which is effective in altering expression of a polynucleotide encoding KAP. Compounds which may be effective in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide may include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotides, antisense oligonucleotides, triple helix-forming oligonucleotides, transcription factors and other polypeptide transcriptional regulators, and non-macromolecular chemical entities which are capable of interacting with specific polynucleotide sequences. Effective compounds may alter polynucleotide expression by acting as either inhibitors or promoters of polynucleotide expression. Thus, in the treatment of disorders associated with increased KAP expression or activity, a compound which specifically inhibits expression of the polynucleotide encoding KAP may be therapeutically useful, and in the treatment of disorders associated with decreased KAP expression or activity, a compound which specifically promotes expression of the polynucleotide encoding KAP may be therapeutically useful.

At least one, and up to a plurality, of test compounds may be screened for effectiveness in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide. A test compound may be obtained by any method commonly known in the art, including chemical modification of a compound known to be effective in altering polynucleotide expression; selection from an existing, commercially-available or proprietary library of naturally-occurring or non-natural chemical compounds; rational design of a compound based on chemical and/or structural properties of the target polynucleotide; and selection from a library of chemical compounds created combinatorially or randomly. A sample comprising a polynucleotide encoding KAP is exposed to at least one test compound thus obtained. The sample may comprise, for example, an intact or permeabilized cell, or an in vitro cell-free or reconstituted biochemical system. Alterations in the expression of a polynucleotide encoding KAP are assayed by any method commonly known in the art. Typically, the expression of a specific nucleotide is detected by hybridization with a probe having a nucleotide sequence complementary to the sequence of the polynucleotide encoding KAP. The amount of hybridization may be quantified, thus forming the basis for a comparison of the expression of the polynucleotide both with and without exposure to one or more test compounds. Detection of a change in the expression of a polynucleotide exposed to a test compound indicates that the test compound is effective in altering the expression of the polynucleotide. A screen for a compound effective in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide can be carried out, for example, using a Schizosaccharomyces pombe gene expression system (Atkins, D. et al. (1999) U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,435; Arndt, G. M. et al. (2000) Nucleic Acids Res. 28:E15) or a human cell line such as HeLa cell (Clarke, M. L. et al. (2000) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 268:8–13). A particular embodiment of the present invention involves screening a combinatorial library of oligonucleotides (such as deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, and modified oligonucleotides) for antisense activity against a specific polynucleotide sequence (Bruice, T. W. et al. (1997) U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,242; Bruice, T. W. et al. (2000) U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,691).

Many methods for introducing vectors into cells or tissues are available and equally suitable for use in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo. For ex vivo therapy, vectors may be introduced into stem cells taken from the patient and clonally propagated for autologous transplant back into that same patient. Delivery by transfection, by liposome injections, or by polycationic amino polymers may be achieved using methods which are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Goldman, C. K. et al. (1997) Nat. Biotechnol. 15:462–466.)

Any of the therapeutic methods described above may be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as humans, dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, and monkeys.

An additional embodiment of the invention relates to the administration of a composition which generally comprises an active ingredient formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Excipients may include, for example, sugars, starches, celluloses, gums, and proteins. Various formulations are commonly known and are thoroughly discussed in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing, Easton Pa.). Such compositions may consist of KAP, antibodies to KAP, and mimetics, agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of KAP.

The compositions utilized in this invention may be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, pulmonary, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, enteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means.

Compositions for pulmonary administration may be prepared in liquid or dry powder form. These compositions are generally aerosolized immediately prior to inhalation by the patient. In the case of small molecules (e.g. traditional low molecular weight organic drugs), aerosol delivery of fast-acting formulations is well-known in the art. In the case of macromolecules (e.g. larger peptides and proteins), recent developments in the field of pulmonary delivery via the alveolar region of the lung have enabled the practical delivery of drugs such as insulin to blood circulation (see, e.g., Patton, J. S. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,848). Pulmonary delivery has the advantage of administration without needle injection, and obviates the need for potentially toxic penetration enhancers.

Compositions suitable for use in the invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve the intended purpose. The determination of an effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art.

Specialized forms of compositions may be prepared for direct intracellular delivery of macromolecules comprising KAP or fragments thereof. For example, liposome preparations containing a cell-impermeable macromolecule may promote cell fusion and intracellular delivery of the macromolecule. Alternatively, KAP or a fragment thereof may be joined to a short cationic N-terminal portion from the HIV Tat-1 protein. Fusion proteins thus generated have been found to transduce into the cells of all tissues, including the brain, in a mouse model system (Schwarze, S. R. et al. (1999) Science 285:1569–1572).

For any compound, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays, e.g., of neoplastic cells, or in animal models such as mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, or pigs. An animal model may also be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.

A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, for example KAP or fragments thereof, antibodies of KAP, and agonists, antagonists or inhibitors of KAP, which ameliorates the symptoms or condition. Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity may be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or with experimental animals, such as by calculating the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) or LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) statistics. The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, which can be expressed as the LD₅₀/ED₅₀ ratio. Compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies are used to formulate a range of dosage for human use. The dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that includes the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, the sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration.

The exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject requiring treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active moiety or to maintain the desired effect. Factors which may be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, the general health of the subject, the age, weight, and gender of the subject, time and frequency of administration, drug combination(s), reaction sensitivities, and response to therapy. Long-acting compositions may be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or biweekly depending on the half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation.

Normal dosage amounts may vary from about 0.1 μg to 100,000 μg, up to a total dose of about 1 gram, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and generally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors. Similarly, delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, etc.

Diagnostics

In another embodiment, antibodies which specifically bind KAP may be used for the diagnosis of disorders characterized by expression of KAP, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with KAP or agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of KAP. Antibodies useful for diagnostic purposes may be prepared in the same manner as described above for therapeutics. Diagnostic assays for KAP include methods which utilize the antibody and a label to detect KAP in human body fluids or in extracts of cells or tissues. The antibodies may be used with or without modification, and may be labeled by covalent or non-covalent attachment of a reporter molecule. A wide variety of reporter molecules; several of which are described above, are known in the art and may be used.

A variety of protocols for measuring KAP, including ELISAs, RIAs, and FACS, are known in the art and provide a basis for diagnosing altered or abnormal levels of KAP expression. Normal or standard values for KAP expression are established by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal mammalian subjects, for example, human subjects, with antibodies to KAP under conditions suitable for complex formation. The amount of standard complex formation may be quantitated by various methods, such as photometric means. Quantities of KAP expressed in subject, control, and disease samples from biopsied tissues are compared with the standard values. Deviation between standard and subject values establishes the parameters for diagnosing disease.

In another embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotides encoding KAP may be used for diagnostic purposes. The polynucleotides which may be used include oligonucleotide sequences, complementary RNA and DNA molecules, and PNAs. The polynucleotides may be used to detect and quantify gene expression in biopsied tissues in which expression of KAP may be correlated with disease. The diagnostic assay may be used to determine absence, presence, and excess expression of KAP, and to monitor regulation of KAP levels during therapeutic intervention.

In one aspect, hybridization with PCR probes which are capable of detecting polynucleotide sequences, including genomic sequences, encoding KAP or closely related molecules may be used to identify nucleic acid sequences which encode KAP. The specificity of the probe, whether it is made from a highly specific region, e.g., the 5′regulatory region, or from a less specific region, e.g., a conserved motif, and the stringency of the hybridization or amplification will determine whether the probe identifies only naturally occurring sequences encoding KAP, allelic variants, or related sequences.

Probes may also be used for the detection of related sequences, and may have at least 50% sequence identity to any of the KAP encoding sequences. The hybridization probes of the subject invention may be DNA or RNA and may be derived from the sequence of SEQ ID NO:21–40 or from genomic sequences including promoters, enhancers, and introns of the KAP gene.

Means for producing specific hybridization probes for DNAs encoding KAP include the cloning of polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP or KAP derivatives into vectors for the production of mRNA probes. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by means of the addition of the appropriate RNA polymerases and the appropriate labeled nucleotides. Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety of reporter groups, for example, by radionuclides such as ³P or ³⁵S, or by enzymatic labels, such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidin/biotin coupling systems, and the like.

Polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be used for the diagnosis of disorders associated with expression of KAP. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, a cardiovascular disorder such as arteriovenous fistula, atherosclerosis, hypertension, vasculitis, Raynaud's disease, aneurysms, arterial dissections, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis, vascular tumors, and complications of thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, vascular replacement, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease, degenerative valvular heart disease, calcific aortic valve stenosis, congenitally bicuspid aortic valve, mitral annular calcification, mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, endocarditis of systemic lupus erythematosus, carcinoid heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, neoplastic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and complications of cardiac transplantation, congenital lung anomalies, atelectasis, pulmonary congestion and edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary infarction, pulmonary hypertension, vascular sclerosis, obstructive pulmonary disease, restrictive pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, bacterial pneumonia, viral and mycoplasmal pneumonia, lung abscess, pulmonary tuberculosis, diffuse interstitial diseases, pneumoconioses, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary eosinophilia bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes, Goodpasture's syndromes, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, pulmonary involvement in collagen-vascular disorders, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, lung tumors, inflammatory and noninflammatory pleural effusions, pneumothorax, pleural tumors, drug-induced lung disease, radiation-induced lung disease, and complications of lung transplantation; an immune disorder such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, ankylosing spondylitis, amyloidosis, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), bronchitis, cholecystitis, contact dermatitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes meritus, emphysema, episodic lymphopenia with lymphocytotoxins, erythroblastosis fetalis, erythema nodosum, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, gout, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic anaphylaxis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, thrombocytopenic purpura, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, Werner syndrome, complications of cancer, hemodialysis, and extracorporeal circulation, viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal, and helminthic infections, and trauma; a neurological disorder such as epilepsy, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, stroke, cerebral neoplasms, Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Huntington's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron disorders, progressive neural muscular atrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, hereditary ataxias, multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, bacterial and viral meningitis, brain abscess, subdural empyema, epidural abscess, suppurative intracranial thrombophlebitis, myelitis and radiculitis, viral central nervous system disease, prion diseases including kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia, nutritional and metabolic diseases of the nervous system, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, cerebelloretinal hemangioblastomatosis, encephalotrigeminal syndrome, mental retardation and other developmental disorders of the central nervous system including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neuroskeletal disorders, autonomic nervous system disorders, cranial nerve disorders, spinal cord diseases, muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders, peripheral nervous system disorders, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, inherited, metabolic, endocrine, and toxic myopathies, myasthenia gravis, periodic paralysis, mental disorders including mood, anxiety, and schizophrenic disorders, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), akathesia, amnesia, catatonia, diabetic neuropathy, tardive dyskinesia, dystonias, paranoid psychoses, postherpetic neuralgia, Tourette's disorder, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and familial frontotemporal dementia; a growth and developmental disorder such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, renal tubular acidosis, anemia, Cushing's syndrome, achondroplastic dwarfism, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, gonadal dysgenesis, WAGR syndrome (Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation), Smith-Magenis syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia, hereditary keratodermas, hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and neurofibromatosis, hypothyroidism, hydrocephalus, seizure disorders such as Syndenham's chorea and cerebral palsy, spina bifida, anencephaly, craniorachischisis, congenital glaucoma, cataract, and sensorineural hearing loss; a lipid disorder such as fatty liver, cholestasis, primary. bilary cirrhosis, carnitine deficiency, carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency, myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, hypertriglyceridemia, lipid storage disorders such Fabry's disease, Gaucher's disease, Niemann-Pick's disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy, GM₂ gangliosidosis, and ceroid lipofuscinosis, abetalipoproteinemia, Tangier disease, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, lipodystrophy, lipomatoses, acute panniculitis, disseminated fat necrosis, adiposis dolorosa, lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, minimal change disease, lipomas, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemia with hypertriglyceridemia, primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia, hypothyroidism, renal disease, liver disease, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, sitosterolemia, hypocholesterolemia, Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff's disease, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipemia, lipid myopathies, and obesity; and a cell proliferative disorder such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, and cancers including adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, teratocarcinoma, and, in particular, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, uterus, leukemias such as multiple myeloma, and lymphomas such as Hodgkin's disease. The polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be used in Southern or northern analysis, dot blot, or other membrane-based technologies; in PCR technologies; in dipstick, pin, and multiformat ELISA-like assays; and in microarrays utilizing fluids or tissues from patients to detect altered KAP expression. Such qualitative or quantitative methods are well known in the art.

In a particular aspect, the nucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be useful in assays that detect the presence of associated disorders, particularly those mentioned above. The nucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be labeled by standard methods and added to a fluid or tissue sample from a patient under conditions suitable for the formation of hybridization complexes. After a suitable incubation period, the sample is washed and the signal is quantified and compared with a standard value. If the amount of signal in the patient sample is significantly altered in comparison to a control sample then the presence of altered levels of nucleotide sequences encoding KAP in the sample indicates the presence of the associated disorder. Such assays may also be used to evaluate the efficacy of a particular therapeutic treatment regimen in animal studies, in clinical trials, or to monitor the treatment of an individual patient.

In order to provide a basis for the diagnosis of a disorder associated with expression of KAP, a normal or standard profile for expression is established. This may be accomplished by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal subjects, either animal or human, with a sequence, or a fragment thereof, encoding KAP, under conditions suitable for hybridization or amplification. Standard hybridization may be quantified by comparing the values obtained from normal subjects with values from an experiment in which a known amount of a substantially purified polynucleotide is used. Standard values obtained in this manner may be compared with values obtained from samples from patients who are symptomatic for a disorder. Deviation from standard values is used to establish the presence of a disorder.

Once the presence of a disorder is established and a treatment protocol is initiated, hybridization assays may be repeated on a regular basis to determine if the level of expression in the patient begins to approximate that which is observed in the normal subject. The results obtained from successive assays may be used to show the efficacy of treatment over a period ranging from several days to months.

With respect to cancer, the presence of an abnormal amount of transcript (either under- or overexpressed) in biopsied tissue from an individual may indicate a predisposition for the development of the disease, or may provide a means for detecting the disease prior to the appearance of actual clinical symptoms. A more definitive diagnosis of this type may allow health professionals to employ preventative measures or aggressive treatment earlier thereby preventing the development or further progression of the cancer.

Additional diagnostic uses for oligonucleotides designed from the sequences encoding KAP may involve the use of PCR. These oligomers may be chemically synthesized, generated enzymatically, or produced in vitro. Oligomers will preferably contain a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding KAP, or a fragment of a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide encoding KAP, and will be employed under optimized conditions for identification of a specific gene or condition. Oligomers may also be employed under less stringent conditions for detection or quantification of closely related DNA or RNA sequences.

In a particular aspect, oligonucleotide primers derived from the polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP may be used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are substitutions, insertions and deletions that are a frequent cause of inherited or acquired genetic disease in humans. Methods of SNP detection include, but are not limited to, single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and fluorescent SSCP (fSSCP) methods. In SSCP, oligonucleotide primers derived from the polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP are used to amplify DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DNA may be derived, for example, from diseased or normal tissue, biopsy samples, bodily fluids, and the like. SNPs in the DNA cause differences in the secondary and tertiary structures of PCR products in single-stranded form, and these differences are detectable using gel electrophoresis in non-denaturing gels. In fSCCP, the oligonucleotide primers are fluorescently labeled, which allows detection of the amplimers in high-throughput equipment such as DNA sequencing machines. Additionally, sequence database analysis methods, termed in silico SNP (isSNP), are capable of identifying polymorphisms by comparing the sequence of individual overlapping DNA fragments which assemble into a common consensus sequence. These computer-based methods filter out sequence variations due to laboratory preparation of DNA and sequencing errors using statistical models and automated analyses of DNA sequence chromatograms. In the alternative, SNPs may be detected and characterized by mass spectrometry using, for example, the high throughput MASSARRAY system (Sequenom, Inc., San Diego Calif.).

Methods which may also be used to quantify the expression of KAP include radiolabeling or biotinylating nucleotides, coamplification of a control nucleic acid, and interpolating results from standard curves. (See, e.g., Melby, P. C. et al. (1993) J. Immunol. Methods 159:235–244; Duplaa, C. et al. (1993) Anal. Biochem. 212:229–236.) The speed of quantitation of multiple samples may be accelerated by running the assay in a high-throughput format where the oligomer or polynucleotide of interest is presented in various dilutions and a spectrophotometric or colorimetric response gives rapid quantitation.

In further embodiments, oligonucleotides or longer fragments derived from any of the polynucleotide sequences described herein may be used as elements on a microarray. The microarray can be used in transcript imaging techniques which monitor the relative expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously as described below. The microarray may also be used to identify genetic variants, mutations, and polymorphisms. This information may be used to determine gene function, to understand the genetic basis of a disorder, to diagnose a disorder, to monitor progression/regression of disease as a function of gene expression, and to develop and monitor the activities of therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease. In particular, this information may be used to develop a pharmacogenomic profile of a patient in order to select the most appropriate and effective treatment regimen for that patient. For example, therapeutic agents which are highly effective and display the fewest side effects may be selected for a patient based on his/her pharmacogenomic profile.

In another embodiment, KAP, fragments of KAP, or antibodies specific for KAP may be used as elements on a microarray. The microarray may be used to monitor or measure protein-protein interactions, drug-target interactions, and gene expression profiles, as described above.

A particular embodiment relates to the use of the polynucleotides of the present invention to generate a transcript image of a tissue or cell type. A transcript image represents the global pattern of gene expression by a particular tissue or cell type. Global gene expression patterns are analyzed by quantifying the number of expressed genes and their relative abundance under given conditions and at a given time. (See Seilhamer et al., “Comparative Gene Transcript Analysis,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,484, expressly incorporated by reference herein.) Thus a transcript image may be generated by hybridizing the polynucleotides of the present invention or their complements to the totality of transcripts or reverse transcripts of a particular tissue or cell type. In one embodiment, the hybridization takes place in high-throughput format, wherein the polynucleotides of the present invention or their complements comprise a subset of a plurality of elements on a microarray. The resultant transcript image would provide a profile of gene activity.

Transcript images may be generated using transcripts isolated from tissues, cell lines, biopsies, or other biological samples. The transcript image may thus reflect gene expression in vivo, as in the case of a tissue or biopsy sample, or in vitro, as in the case of a cell line.

Transcript images which profile the expression of the polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with in vitro model systems and preclinical evaluation of pharmaceuticals, as well as toxicological testing of industrial and naturally-occurring environmental compounds. All compounds induce characteristic gene expression patterns, frequently termed molecular fingerprints or toxicant signatures, which are indicative of mechanisms of action and toxicity (Nuwaysir, E. F. et al. (1999) Mol. Carcinog. 24:153–159; Steiner, S. and N. L. Anderson (2000) Toxicol. Lett. 112–113:467471, expressly incorporated by reference herein). If a test compound has a signature similar to that of a compound with known toxicity, it is likely to share those toxic properties. These fingerprints or signatures are most useful and refined when they contain expression information from a large number of genes and gene families. Ideally, a genome-wide measurement of expression provides the highest quality signature. Even genes whose expression is not altered by any tested compounds are important as well, as the levels of expression of these genes are used to normalize the rest of the expression data. The normalization procedure is useful for comparison of expression data after treatment with different compounds. While the assignment of gene function to elements of a toxicant signature aids in interpretation of toxicity mechanisms, knowledge of gene function is not necessary for the statistical matching of signatures which leads to prediction of toxicity. (See, for example, Press Release 00–02 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (“NIEHS”), released Feb. 29, 2000, available at the NIEHS website.) Therefore, it is important and desirable in toxicological screening using toxicant signatures to include all expressed gene sequences.

In one embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing nucleic acids with the test compound. Nucleic acids that are expressed in the treated biological sample are hybridized with one or more probes specific to the polynucleotides of the present invention, so that transcript levels corresponding to the polynucleotides of the present invention may be quantified. The transcript levels in the treated biological sample are compared with levels in an untreated biological sample. Differences in the transcript levels between the two samples are indicative of a toxic response caused by the test compound in the treated sample.

Another particular embodiment relates to the use of the polypeptide sequences of the present invention to analyze the proteome of a tissue or cell type. The term proteome refers to the global pattern of protein expression in a particular tissue or cell type. Each protein component of a proteome can be subjected individually to further analysis. Proteome expression patterns, or profiles, are analyzed by quantifying the number of expressed proteins and their relative abundance under given conditions and at a given time. A profile of a cell's proteome may thus be generated by separating and analyzing the polypeptides of a particular tissue or cell type. In one embodiment, the separation is achieved using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, in which proteins from a sample are separated by isoelectric focusing in the first dimension, and then according to molecular weight by sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gel electrophoresis in the second dimension (Steiner and Anderson, supra). The proteins are visualized in the gel as discrete and uniquely positioned spots, typically by staining the gel with an agent such as Coomassie Blue or silver or fluorescent stains. The optical density of each protein spot is generally proportional to the level of the protein in the sample. The optical densities of equivalently positioned protein spots from different samples, for example, from biological samples either treated or untreated with a test compound or therapeutic agent, are compared to identify any changes in protein spot density related to the treatment. The proteins in the spots are partially sequenced using, for example, standard methods employing chemical or enzymatic cleavage followed by mass spectrometry. The identity of the protein in a spot may be determined by comparing its partial sequence, preferably of at least 5 contiguous amino acid residues, to the polypeptide sequences of the present invention. In some cases, further sequence data may be obtained for definitive protein identification.

A proteomic profile may also be generated using antibodies specific for KAP to quantify the levels of KAP expression. In one embodiment, the antibodies are used as elements on a microarray, and protein expression levels are quantified by exposing the microarray to the sample and detecting the levels of protein bound to each array element (Lueking, A. et al. (1999) Axial. Biochem. 270:103–111; Mendoze, L. G. et al. (1999) Biotechniques 27:778–788). Detection may be performed by a variety of methods known in the art, for example, by reacting the proteins in the sample with a thiol- or amino-reactive fluorescent compound and detecting the amount of fluorescence bound at each array element.

Toxicant signatures at the proteome level are also useful for toxicological screening, and should be analyzed in parallel with toxicant signatures at the transcript level. There is a poor correlation between transcript and protein abundances for some proteins in some tissues (Anderson, N. L. and J. Seilhamer (1997) Electrophoresis 18:533–537), so proteome toxicant signatures may be useful in the analysis of compounds which do not significantly affect the transcript image, but which alter the proteomic profile. In addition, the analysis of transcripts in body fluids is difficult, due to rapid degradation of mRNA, so proteomic profiling may be more reliable and informative in such cases.

In another embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing proteins with the test compound. Proteins that are expressed in the treated biological sample are separated so that the amount of each protein can be quantified. The amount of each protein is compared to the amount of the corresponding protein in an untreated biological sample. A difference in the amount of protein between the two samples is indicative of a toxic response to the test compound in the treated sample. Individual proteins are identified by sequencing the amino acid residues of the individual proteins and comparing these partial sequences to the polypeptides of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing proteins with the test compound. Proteins from the biological sample are incubated with antibodies specific to the polypeptides of the present invention. The amount of protein recognized by the antibodies is quantified. The amount of protein in the treated biological sample is compared with the amount in an untreated biological sample. A difference in the amount of protein between the two samples is indicative of a toxic response to the test compound in the treated sample.

Microarrays may be prepared, used, and analyzed using methods known in the art. (See, e.g., Brennan, T. M. et al. (1995) U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,796; Schena, M. et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:10614–10619; Baldeschweiler et al. (1995) PCT application WO95/251116; Shalon, D. et al. (1995) PCT application WO95/35505; Heller, R. A. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:2150–2155; and Heller, M. J. et al. (1997) U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,662.) Various types of microarrays are well known and thoroughly described in DNA Microarrays: A Practical Approach, M. Schena, ed. (1999) Oxford University Press, London, hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

In another embodiment of the invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding KAP may be used to generate hybridization probes useful in mapping the naturally occurring genomic sequence. Either coding or noncoding sequences may be used, and in some instances, noncoding sequences may be preferable over coding sequences. For example, conservation of a coding sequence among members of a multi-gene family may potentially cause undesired cross hybridization during chromosomal mapping. The sequences may be mapped to a particular chromosome, to a specific region of a chromosome, or to artificial chromosome constructions, e.g., human artificial chromosomes (HACs), yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), bacterial P1 constructions, or single chromosome cDNA libraries. (See, e.g., Harrington, J. J. et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 15:345–355; Price, C. M. (1993) Blood Rev. 7:127–134; and Trask, B. J. (1991) Trends Genet. 7:149–154.) Once mapped, the nucleic acid sequences of the invention may be used to develop genetic linkage maps, for example, which correlate the inheritance of a disease state with the inheritance of a particular chromosome region or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). (See, for example, Lander, E. S. and D. Botstein (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:7353–7357.)

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) may be correlated with other physical and genetic map data. (See, e.g., Heinz-Ulrich, et al. (1995) in Meyers, supra, pp. 965–968.) Examples of genetic map data can be found in various scientific journals or at the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) World Wide Web site. Correlation between the location of the gene encoding KAP on a physical map and a specific disorder, or a predisposition to a specific disorder, may help define the region of DNA associated with that disorder and thus may further positional cloning efforts.

In situ hybridization of chromosomal preparations and physical mapping techniques, such as linkage analysis using established chromosomal markers, may be used for extending genetic maps. Often the placement of a gene on the chromosome of another mammalian species, such as mouse, may reveal associated markers even if the exact chromosomal locus is not known. This information is valuable to investigators searching for disease genes using positional cloning or other gene discovery techniques. Once the gene or genes responsible for a disease or syndrome have been crudely localized by genetic linkage to a particular genomic region, e.g., ataxia-telangiectasia to 11q22–23, any sequences mapping to that area may represent associated or regulatory genes for further investigation. (See, e.g., Gatti, R. A. et al. (1988) Nature 336:577–580.) The nucleotide sequence of the instant invention may also be used to detect differences in the chromosomal location due to translocation, inversion, etc., among normal, carrier, or affected individuals.

In another embodiment of the invention, KAP, its catalytic or immunogenic fragments, or oligopeptides thereof can be used for screening libraries of compounds in any of a variety of drug screening techniques. The fragment employed in such screening may be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface, or located intracellularly. The formation of binding complexes between KAP and the agent being tested may be measured.

Another technique for drug screening provides for high throughput screening of compounds having suitable binding affinity to the protein of interest. (See, e.g., Geysen, et al. (1984) PCT application WO84/03564.) In this method, large numbers of different small test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate. The test compounds are reacted with KAP, or fragments thereof, and washed. Bound KAP is then detected by methods well known in the art. Purified KAP can also be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques. Alternatively, non-neutralizing antibodies can be used to capture the peptide and immobilize it on a solid support.

In another embodiment, one may use competitive drug screening assays in which neutralizing antibodies capable of binding KAP specifically compete with a test compound for binding KAP. In this manner, antibodies can be used to detect the presence of any peptide which shares one or more antigenic determinants with KAP.

In additional embodiments, the nucleotide sequences which encode KAP may be used in any molecular biology techniques that have yet to be developed, provided the new techniques rely on properties of nucleotide sequences that are currently known, including, but not limited to, such properties as the triplet genetic code and specific base pair interactions.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

The disclosures of all patents, applications and publications, mentioned above and below, including U.S. Ser. No. 60/254,034, U.S. Ser. No. 60/255,756, U.S. Ser. No. 60/251,814, U.S. Ser. No. 60/256,172, U.S. Ser. No. 60/257,416, U.S. Ser. No. 60/260,912, U.S. Ser. No. 60/264,344, and U.S. Ser. No.60/266,017, are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLES

I. Construction of cDNA Libraries

Incyte cDNAs were derived from cDNA libraries described in the LIFESEQ GOLD database (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto Calif.). Some tissues were homogenized and lysed in guanidinium isothiocyanate, while others were homogenized and lysed in phenol or in a suitable mixture of denaturants, such as TRIZOL (Life Technologies), a monophasic solution of phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate. The resulting lysates were centrifuged over CsCl cushions or extracted with chloroform. RNA was precipitated from the lysates with either isopropanol or sodium acetate and ethanol, or by other routine methods.

Phenol extraction and precipitation of RNA were repeated as necessary to increase RNA purity. In some cases, RNA was treated with DNase. For most libraries, poly(A)+ RNA was isolated using oligo d(T)-coupled paramagnetic particles (Promega), OLIGOTEX latex particles (QIAGEN, Chatsworth Calif.), or an OLIGOTEX mRNA purification kit (QIAGEN). Alternatively, RNA was isolated directly from tissue lysates using other RNA isolation kits, e.g., the POLY(A)PURE mRNA purification kit (Ambion, Austin Tex.).

In some cases, Stratagene was provided with RNA and constructed the corresponding cDNA libraries. Otherwise, cDNA was synthesized and cDNA libraries were constructed with the UNIZAP vector system (Stratagene) or SUPERSCRIPT plasmid system (Life Technologies), using the recommended procedures or similar methods known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1997, supra, units 5.1–6.6.) Reverse transcription was initiated using oligo d(T) or random primers. Synthetic oligonucleotide adapters were ligated to double stranded cDNA, and the cDNA was digested with the appropriate restriction enzyme or enzymes. For most libraries, the cDNA was size-selected (300–1000 bp) using SEPHACRYL S1000, SEPHAROSE CL2B, or SEPHAROSE CL4B column chromatography (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) or preparative agarose gel electrophoresis. cDNAs were ligated into compatible restriction enzyme sites of the polylinker of a suitable plasmid, e.g., PBLUESCRIPT plasmid (Stratagene), PSPORT1 plasmid (Life Technologies), PCDNA2.1 plasmid (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.), PBK-CMV plasmid (Stratagene), PCR2-TOPOTA plasmid (Invitrogen), PCMV-ICIS plasmid (Stratagene), pIGEN (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto Calif.), pRARE (Incyte Genomics), or pINCY (Incyte Genomics), or derivatives thereof. Recombinant plasmids were transformed into competent E. coli cells including XL1-Blue, XL1-BlueMRF, or SOLR from Stratagene or DH5α, DH10B, or ElectroMAX DH10B from Life Technologies.

II. Isolation f cDNA Clones

Plasmids obtained as described in Example I were recovered from host cells by in vivo excision using the UNIZAP vector system (Stratagene) or by cell lysis. Plasmids were purified using at least one of the following: a Magic or WIZARD Minipreps DNA purification system (Promega); an AGTC Miniprep purification kit (Edge Biosystems, Gaithersburg Md.); and QIAWELL 8 Plasmid, QIAWELL 8 Plus Plasmid, QIAWELL 8 Ultra Plasmid purification systems or the R.E.A.L. PREP 96 plasmid purification kit from QIAGEN. Following precipitation, plasmids were resuspended in 0.1 ml of distilled water and stored, with or without lyophilization, at 4° C.

Alternatively, plasmid DNA was amplified from host cell lysates using direct link PCR in a high-throughput format (Rao, V. B. (1994) Anal. Biochem. 216:1–14). Host cell lysis and thermal cycling steps were carried out in a single reaction mixture. Samples were processed and stored in 384-well plates, and the concentration of amplified plasmid DNA was quantified fluorometrically using PICOGREEN dye (Molecular Probes, Eugene OR) and a FLUOROSKAN II fluorescence scanner (Labsystems Oy, Helsinki, Finland).

III. Sequencing and Analysis

Incyte cDNA recovered in plasmids as described in Example II were sequenced as follows. Sequencing reactions were processed using standard methods or high-throughput instrumentation such as the ABI CATALYST 800 (Applied Biosystems) thermal cycler or the PTC-200 thermal cycler (MJ Research) in conjunction with the HYDRA microdispenser (Robbins Scientific) or the MICROLAB 2200 (Hamilton) liquid transfer system. cDNA sequencing reactions were prepared using reagents provided by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech or supplied in ABI sequencing kits such as the ABI PRISM BIGDYE Terminator cycle sequencing ready reaction kit (Applied Biosystems). Electrophoretic separation of cDNA sequencing reactions and detection of labeled polynucleotides were carried out using the MEGABACE 1000 DNA sequencing system (Molecular Dynamics); the ABI PRISM 373 or 377 sequencing system (Applied Biosystems) in conjunction with standard ABI protocols and base calling software; or other sequence analysis systems known in the art. Reading frames within the cDNA sequences were identified using standard methods (reviewed in Ausubel, 1997, supra, unit 7.7). Some of the cDNA sequences were selected for extension using the techniques disclosed in Example VIII.

The polynucleotide sequences derived from Incyte cDNAs were validated by removing vector, linker, and poly(A) sequences and by masking ambiguous bases, using algorithms and programs based on BLAST, dynamic programming, and dinucleotide nearest neighbor analysis. The Incyte cDNA sequences or translations thereof were then queried against a selection of public databases such as the GenBank primate, rodent, mammalian, vertebrate, and eukaryote databases, and BLOCKS, PRINTS, DOMO, PRODOM; PROTEOME databases with sequences from Homo sapiens, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Caenorhabditis elegans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Candida albicans (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto Calif.); and hidden Markov model (HMM)-based protein family databases such as PFAM. (HMM is a probabilistic approach which analyzes consensus primary structures of gene families. See, for example, Eddy, S. R. (1996) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 6:361–365.) The queries were performed using programs based on BLAST, FASTA, BLIMPS, and HMMER. The Incyte cDNA sequences were assembled to produce full length polynucleotide sequences. Alternatively, GenBank cDNAs, GenBank ESTs, stitched sequences, stretched sequences, or Genscan-predicted coding sequences (see Examples IV and V) were used to extend Incyte cDNA assemblages to full length. Assembly was performed using programs based on Phred, Phrap, and Consed, and cDNA assemblages were screened for open reading frames using programs based on GeneMark, BLAST, and PASTA. The full length polynucleotide sequences were translated to derive the corresponding full length polypeptide sequences. Alternatively, a polypeptide of the invention may begin at any of the methionine residues of the full length translated polypeptide. Full length polypeptide sequences were subsequently analyzed by querying against databases such as the GenBank protein databases (genpept), SwissProt, the PROTEOME databases, BLOCKS, PRINTS, DOMO, PRODOM, Prosite, and hidden Markov model (HMM)-based protein family databases such as PFAM. Full length polynucleotide sequences are also analyzed using MACDNASIS PRO software (Hitachi Software Engineering, South San Francisco Calif.) and LASERGENE software (DNASTAR). Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence alignments are generated using default parameters specified by the CLUSTAL algorithm as incorporated into the MEGALIGN multisequence alignment program (DNASTAR), which also calculates the percent identity between aligned sequences.

Table 7 summarizes the tools, programs, and algorithms used for the analysis and assembly of Incyte cDNA and full length sequences and provides applicable descriptions, references, and threshold parameters. The first column of Table 7 shows the tools, programs, and algorithms used, the second column provides brief descriptions thereof, the third column presents appropriate references, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and the fourth column presents, where applicable, the scores, probability values, and other parameters used to evaluate the strength of a match between two sequences (the higher the score or the lower the probability value, the greater the identity between two sequences).

The programs described above for the assembly and analysis of full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences were also used to identify polynucleotide sequence fragments from SEQ ID NO:21–40. Fragments from about 20 to about 4000 nucleotides which are useful in hybridization and amplification technologies are described in Table 4, column 2.

IV. Identification and Editing of Coding Sequences from Genomic DNA

Putative kinases and phosphatases were initially identified by running the Genscan gene identification program against public genomic sequence databases (e.g., gbpri and gbhtg). Genscan is a general-purpose gene identification program which analyzes genomic DNA sequences from a variety of organisms (See Burge, C. and S. Karlin (1997) J. Mol. Biol. 268:78–94, and Burge, C. and S. Karlin (1998) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 8:346–354). The program concatenates predicted exons to form an assembled cDNA sequence extending from a methionine to a stop codon. The output of Genscan is a PASTA database of polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences. The maximum range of sequence for Genscan to analyze at once was set to 30 kb. To determine which of these Genscan predicted cDNA sequences encode kinases and phosphatases, the encoded polypeptides were analyzed by querying against PFAM models for kinases and phosphatases. Potential kinases and phosphatases were also identified by homology to Incyte cDNA sequences that had been annotated as kinases and phosphatases. These selected Genscan-predicted sequences were then compared by BLAST analysis to the genpept and gbpri public databases. Where necessary, the Genscan-predicted sequences were then edited by comparison to the top BLAST hit from genpept to correct errors in the sequence predicted by Genscan, such as extra or omitted exons. BLAST analysis was also used to find any Incyte cDNA or public cDNA coverage of the Genscan-predicted sequences, thus providing evidence for transcription. When Incyte cDNA coverage was available, this information was used to correct or confirm the Genscan predicted sequence. Full length polynucleotide sequences were obtained by assembling Genscan-predicted coding sequences with Incyte cDNA sequences and/or public cDNA sequences using the assembly process described in Example III. Alternatively, full length polynucleotide sequences were derived entirely from edited or unedited Genscan-predicted coding sequences.

V. Assembly of Genomic Sequence Data with cDNA Sequence Data “Stitched” Sequences

Partial cDNA sequences were extended with exons predicted by the Genscan gene identification program described in Example IV. Partial cDNAs assembled as described in Example III were mapped to genomic DNA and parsed into clusters containing related cDNAs and Genscan exon predictions from one or more genomic sequences. Each cluster was analyzed using an algorithm based on graph theory and dynamic programming to integrate cDNA and genomic information, generating possible splice variants that were subsequently confirmed, edited, or extended to create a full length sequence. Sequence intervals in which the entire length of the interval was present on more than one sequence in the cluster were identified, and intervals thus identified were considered to be equivalent by transitivity. For example, if an interval was present on a cDNA and two genomic sequences, then all three intervals were considered to be equivalent. This process allows unrelated but consecutive genomic sequences to be brought together, bridged by cDNA sequence. Intervals thus identified were then “stitched” together by the stitching algorithm in the order that they appear along their parent sequences to generate the longest possible sequence, as well as sequence variants. Linkages between intervals which proceed along one type of parent sequence (cDNA to cDNA or genomic sequence to genomic sequence) were given preference over linkages which change parent type (cDNA to genomic sequence). The resultant stitched sequences were translated and compared by BLAST analysis to the genpept and gbpri public databases. Incorrect exons predicted by Genscan were corrected by comparison to the top BLAST hit from genpept. Sequences were further extended with additional cDNA sequences, or by inspection of genomic DNA, when necessary.

“Stretched” Sequences

Partial DNA sequences were extended to full length with an algorithm based on BLAST analysis. First, partial cDNAs assembled as described in Example III were queried against public databases such as the GenBank primate, rodent, mammalian, vertebrate, and eukaryote databases using the BLAST program. The nearest GenBank protein homolog was then compared by BLAST analysis to either Incyte cDNA sequences or GenScan exon predicted sequences described in Example IV. A chimeric protein was generated by using the resultant high-scoring segment pairs (HSPs) to map the translated sequences onto the GenBank protein homolog. Insertions or deletions may occur in the chimeric protein with respect to the original GenBank protein homolog. The GenBank protein homolog, the chimeric protein, or both were used as probes to search for homologous genomic sequences from the public human genome databases. Partial DNA sequences were therefore “stretched” or extended by the addition of homologous genomic sequences. The resultant stretched sequences were examined to determine whether it contained a complete gene.

VI. Chromosomal Mapping of KAP Encoding Polynucleotides

The sequences which were used to assemble SEQ ID NO:21–40 were compared with sequences from the Incyte LIFESEQ database and public domain databases using BLAST and other implementations of the Smith-Waterman algorithm. Sequences from these databases that matched SEQ ID NO:21–40 were assembled into clusters of contiguous and overlapping sequences using assembly algorithms such as Phrap (Table 7). Radiation hybrid and genetic mapping data available from public resources such as the Stanford Human Genome Center (SHGC), Whitehead Institute for Genome Research (WIGR), and Genethon were used to determine if any of the clustered sequences had been previously mapped. Inclusion of a mapped sequence in a cluster resulted in the assignment of all sequences of that cluster, including its particular SEQ ID NO:, to that map location.

Map locations are represented by ranges, or intervals, of human chromosomes. The map position of an interval, in centiMorgans, is measured relative to the terminus of the chromosome's p-arm (The centiMorgan (cM) is a unit of measurement based on recombination frequencies between chromosomal markers. On average, 1 cM is roughly equivalent to 1 megabase (Mb) of DNA in humans, although this can vary widely due to hot and cold spots of recombination.) The cM distances are based on genetic markers mapped by Genethon which provide boundaries for radiation hybrid markers whose sequences were included in each of the clusters. Human genome maps and other resources available to the public, such as the NCBI “GeneMap'99” World Wide Web site, can be employed to determine if previously identified disease genes map within or in proximity to the intervals indicated above.

In this manner, SEQ ID NO:33 was mapped to chromosome 12 within the interval from 97.10 to 113.30 centiMorgans. SEQ ID NO:35 was mapped to chromosome 3 within the interval from 16.50 to 30.40 centiMorgans. SEQ ID NO:29 was mapped to chromosome 13 within the interval from 11.60 to 22.80 centiMorgans, to chromosome 15 within the interval from 72.30 to 77.30 centiMorgans, and to chromosome 20 within the interval from 57.70 to 64.10 centiMorgans. More than one map location is reported for SEQ ID NO:29, indicating that sequences having different map locations were assembled into a single cluster. This situation occurs, for example, when sequences having strong similarity, but not complete identity, are assembled into a single cluster.

VII. Analysis of Polynucleotide Expression

Northern analysis is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of a transcript of a gene and involves the hybridization of a labeled nucleotide sequence to a membrane on which RNAs from a particular cell type or tissue have been bound. (See, e.g., Sambrook, supra, ch. 7; Ausubel (1995) supra, ch. 4 and 16.)

Analogous computer techniques applying BLAST were used to search for identical or related molecules in cDNA databases such as GenBank or LIFESEQ (Incyte Genomics). This analysis is much faster than multiple membrane-based hybridizations. In addition, the sensitivity of the computer search can be modified to determine whether any particular match is categorized as exact or similar. The basis of the search is the product score, which is defined as:

$\frac{{BLAST}\mspace{14mu}{Score} \times {Percent}\mspace{14mu}{Identity}}{5 \times {minimum}\mspace{14mu}\left\{ {{{length}\mspace{14mu}\left( {{Seq}.\mspace{14mu} 1} \right)},{{length}\mspace{14mu}\left( {{Seq}.\mspace{14mu} 2} \right)}} \right\}}$ The product score takes into account both the degree of similarity between two sequences and the length of the sequence match. The product score is a normalized value between 0 and 100, and is calculated as follows: the BLAST score is multiplied by the percent nucleotide identity and the product is divided by (5 tires the length of the shorter of the two sequences). The BLAST score is calculated by assigning a score of +5 for every base that matches in a high-scoring segment pair (HSP), and −4 for every mismatch. Two sequences may share more than one HSP (separated by gaps). If there is more than one HSP, then the pair with the highest BLAST score is used to calculate the product score. The product score represents a balance between fractional overlap and quality in a BLAST alignment For example, a product score of 100 is produced only for 100% identity over the entire length of the shorter of the two sequences being compared. A product score of 70 is produced either by 100% identity and 70% overlap at one end, or by 88% identity and 100% overlap at the other. A product score of 50 is produced either by 100% identity and 50% overlap at one end, or 79% identity and 100% overlap.

Alternatively, polynucleotide sequences encoding KAP are analyzed with respect to the tissue sources from which they were derived. For example, some full length sequences are assembled, at least in part, with overlapping Incyte cDNA sequences (see Example III). Each cDNA sequence is derived from a cDNA library constructed from a human tissue. Each human tissue is classified into one of the following organ/tissue categories: cardiovascular system; connective tissue; digestive system; embryonic structures; endocrine system; exocrine glands; genitalia, female; genitalia, male; germ cells; hemic and immune system; liver; musculoskeletal system; nervous system; pancreas; respiratory system; sense organs; skin; stomatognathic system; unclassified/mixed; or urinary tract. The number of libraries in each category is counted and divided by the total number of libraries across all categories. Similarly, each human tissue is classified into one of the following disease/condition categories: cancer, cell line, developmental, inflammation, neurological, trauma, cardiovascular, pooled, and other, and the number of libraries in each category is counted and divided by the total number of libraries across all categories. The resulting percentages reflect the tissue- and disease-specific expression of cDNA encoding KAP. cDNA sequences and cDNA library/tissue information are found in the LIFESEQ GOLD database (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto Calif.).

VIII. Extension of KAP Encoding Polynucleotides

Full length polynucleotide sequences were also produced by extension of an appropriate fragment of the full length molecule using oligonucleotide primers designed from this fragment. One primer was synthesized to initiate 5′ extension of the known fragment, and the other primer was synthesized to initiate 3′extension of the known fragment. The initial primers were designed using OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences), or another appropriate program, to be about 22 to 30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of about 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures of about 68° C. to about 72° C. Any stretch of nucleotides which would result in hairpin structures and primer-primer dimerizations was avoided.

Selected human cDNA libraries were used to extend the sequence. If more than one extension was necessary or desired, additional or nested sets of primers were designed.

High fidelity amplification was obtained by PCR using methods well known in the art. PCR was performed in 96-well plates using the PTC-200 thermal cycler (MJ Research, Inc.). The reaction mix contained DNA template, 200 nmol of each primer, reaction buffer containing Mg²⁺, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and 2-mercaptoethanol, Taq DNA polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), ELONGASE enzyme (Life Technologies), and Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene), with the following parameters for primer pair PCI A and PCI B: Step 1: 94° C., 3 min; Step 2: 94° C., 15 sec; Step 3: 60° C., 1 min; Step 4: 68° C., 2 min; Step 5: Steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 20 times; Step 6: 68° C., 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4° C. In the alternative, the parameters for primer pair T7 and SK+ were as follows: Step 1: 94° C., 3 min; Step 2: 94° C., 15 sec; Step 3: 57° C., 1 min; Step 4: 68° C., 2 min; Step 5: Steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 20 times; Step 6: 68° C., 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4° C.

The concentration of DNA in each well was determined by dispensing 100 μl PICOGREEN quantitation reagent (0.25% (v/v) PICOGREEN; Molecular Probes, Eugene Oreg.) dissolved in 1×TE and 0.5 μl of undiluted PCR product into each well of an opaque fluorimeter plate (Corning Costar, Acton Mass.), allowing the DNA to bind to the reagent. The plate was scanned in a Fluoroskan II (Labsystems Oy, Helsinki, Finland) to measure the fluorescence of the sample and to quantify the concentration of DNA. A 5 μl to 10 μl aliquot of the reaction mixture was analyzed by electrophoresis on a 1% agarose gel to determine which reactions were successful in extending the sequence.

The extended nucleotides were desalted and concentrated, transferred to 384-well plates, digested with CviJI cholera virus endonuclease (Molecular Biology Research, Madison Wis.), and sonicated or sheared prior to religation into pUC 18 vector (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). For shotgun sequencing, the digested nucleotides were separated on low concentration (0.6 to 0.8%) agarose gels, fragments were excised, and agar digested with Agar ACE (Promega). Extended clones were religated using T4 ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly Mass.) into pUC 18 vector (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), treated with Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) to fill-in restriction site overhangs, and transfected into competent E. coli cells. Transformed cells were selected on antibiotic-containing media, and individual colonies were picked and cultured overnight at 37° C. in 384-well plates in LB/2× carb liquid media.

The cells were lysed, and DNA was amplified by PCR using Taq DNA polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) and Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) with the following parameters: Step 1: 94° C., 3 min; Step 2: 94° C., 15 sec; Step 3: 60° C., 1 min; Step 4: 72° C., 2 min; Step 5: steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 29 times; Step 6: 72° C., 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4° C. DNA was quantified by PICOGREEN reagent (Molecular Probes) as described above. Samples with low DNA recoveries were reamplified using the same conditions as described above. Samples were diluted with 20% dimnethysulfoxide (1:2, v/v), and sequenced using DYENAMIC energy transfer sequencing primers and the DYENAMIC DIRECT kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) or the ABI PRISM BIGDYE Terminator cycle sequencing ready reaction kit (Applied Biosystems).

In like manner, full length polynucleotide sequences are verified using the above procedure or are used to obtain 5′regulatory sequences using the above procedure along with oligonucleotides designed for such extension, and an appropriate genomic library.

IX. Labeling and Use of Individual Hybridization Probes

Hybridization probes derived from SEQ ID NO:21–40 are employed to screen cDNAs, genomic DNAs, or mRNAs. Although the labeling of oligonucleotides, consisting of about 20 base pairs, is specifically described, essentially the same procedure is used with larger nucleotide fragments. Oligonucleotides are designed using state-of-the-art software such as OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences) and labeled by combining 50 pmol of each oligomer, 250 μCi of [γ-³²P] adenosine triphosphate (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), and T4 polynucleotide kinase (DuPont NEN, Boston Mass.). The labeled oligonucleotides are substantially purified using a SEPHADEX G-25 superfine size exclusion dextran bead column (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). An aliquot containing 10⁷ counts per minute of the labeled probe is used in a typical membrane-based hybridization analysis of human genomic DNA digested with one of the following endonucleases: Ase I, Bgl II, Eco RI, Pst I, Xba I, or Pvu II (DuPont NEN).

The DNA from each digest is fractionated on a 0.7% agarose gel and transferred to nylon membranes (Nytran Plus, Schleicher & Schuell, Durham N.H.). Hybridization is carried out for 16 hours at 40° C. To remove nonspecific signals, blots are sequentially washed at room temperature under conditions of up to, for example, 0.1× saline sodium citrate and 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Hybridization patterns are visualized using autoradiography or an alternative imaging means and compared.

X. Microarrays

The linkage or synthesis of array elements upon a microarray can be achieved utilizing photolithography, piezoelectric printing (ink-jet printing, See, e.g., Baldeschweiler, supra.), mechanical microspotting technologies, and derivatives thereof. The substrate in each of the aforementioned technologies should be uniform and solid with a non-porous surface (Schena (1999), supra). Suggested substrates include silicon, silica, glass slides, glass chips, and silicon wafers. Alternatively, a procedure analogous to a dot or slot blot may also be used to arrange and link elements to the surface of a substrate using thermal, UV, chemical, or mechanical bonding procedures. A typical array may be produced using available methods and machines well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may contain any appropriate number of elements. (See, e.g., Schena, M. et al. (1995) Science 270:467–470; Shalon, D. et al. (1996) Genome Res. 6:639–645; Marshall, A. and J. Hodgson (1998) Nat. Biotechnol. 16:27–31.)

Full length cDNAs, Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), or fragments or oligomers thereof may comprise the elements of the microarray. Fragments or oligomers suitable for hybridization can be selected using software well known in the art such as LASERGENE software (DNASTAR). The array elements are hybridized with polynucleotides in a biological sample. The polynucleotides in the biological sample are conjugated to a fluorescent label or other molecular tag for ease of detection. After hybridization, nonhybridized nucleotides from the biological sample are removed, and a fluorescence scanner is used to detect hybridization at each array element. Alternatively, laser desorbtion and mass spectrometry may be used for detection of hybridization. The degree of complementarity and the relative abundance of each polynucleotide which hybridizes to an element on the microarray may be assessed. In one embodiment, microarray preparation and usage is described in detail below.

Tissue or Cell Sample Preparation

Total RNA is isolated from tissue samples using the guanidinium thiocyanate method and poly(A)⁺ RNA is purified using the oligo-(dT) cellulose method. Each poly(A)⁺ RNA sample is reverse transcribed using MMLV reverse-transcriptase, 0.05 pg/μl oligo-(dT) primer (21mer), 1× first strand buffer, 0.03 units/μl RNase inhibitor, 500 μM dATP, 500 μM dGTP, 500 μM dTTP, 40 μM dCTP, 40 μM dCTP-Cy3 (BDS) or dCTP-Cy5 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). The reverse transcription reaction is performed in a 25 ml volume containing 200 ng poly(A)⁺ RNA with GEMBRIGHT kits (Incyte). Specific control poly(A)⁺ RNAs are synthesized by in vitro transcription from non-coding yeast genomic DNA. After incubation at 37° C. for 2 hr, each reaction sample (one with Cy3 and another with Cy5 labeling) is treated with 2.5 ml of 0.5M sodium hydroxide and incubated for 20 minutes at 85° C. to the stop the reaction and degrade the RNA. Samples are purified using two successive CHROMA SPIN 30 gel filtration spin columns (CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc. (CLONTECH), Palo Alto Calif.) and after combining, both reaction samples are ethanol precipitated using 1 ml of glycogen (1 mg/ml), 60 ml sodium acetate, and 300 ml of 100% ethanol. The sample is then dried to completion using a SpeedVAC (Savant Instruments Inc., Holbrook N.Y.) and resuspended in 14 μl 5×SSC/0.2% SDS.

Microarry Preparation

Sequences of the present invention are used to generate array elements. Each array element is amplified from bacterial cells containing vectors with cloned cDNA inserts. PCR amplification uses primers complementary to the vector sequences flanking the cDNA insert. Array elements are amplified in thirty cycles of PCR from an initial quantity of 1–2 ng to a final quantity greater than 5 μg. Amplified array elements are then purified using SEPHACRYL-400 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

Purified array elements are immobilized on polymer-coated glass slides. Glass microscope slides (Corning) are cleaned by ultrasound in 0.1% SDS and acetone, with extensive distilled water washes between and after treatments. Glass slides are etched in 4% hydrofluoric acid (VWR Scientific Products Corporation (VWR), West Chester Pa.), washed extensively in distilled water, and coated with 0.05% aminopropyl silane (Sigma) in 95% ethanol. Coated slides are cured in a 110° C. oven.

Array elements are applied to the coated glass substrate using a procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,522, incorporated herein by reference. 1 μl of the array element DNA, at an average concentration of 100 ng/μl, is loaded into the open capillary printing element by a high-speed robotic apparatus. The apparatus then deposits about 5 nl of array element sample per slide.

Microarrays are UV-crosslinked using a STRATALINKER UV-crosslinker (Stratagene). Microarrays are washed at room temperature once in 0.2% SDS and three times in distilled water. Non-specific binding sites are blocked by incubation of microarrays in 0.2% casein in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (Tropix, Inc., Bedford Mass.) for 30 minutes at 60° C. followed by washes in 0.2% SDS and distilled water as before.

Hybridization

Hybridization reactions contain 9 μl of sample mixture consisting of 0.2 μg each of Cy3 and Cy5 labeled cDNA synthesis products in 5×SSC, 0.2% SDS hybridization buffer. The sample mixture is heated to 65° C. for 5 minutes and is aliquoted onto the microarray surface and covered with an 1.8 cm² coverslip. The arrays are transferred to a waterproof chamber having a cavity just slightly larger than a microscope slide. The chamber is kept at 100% humidity internally by the addition of 140 μl of 5×SSC in a corner of the chamber. The chamber containing the arrays is incubated for about 6.5 hours at 60° C. The arrays are washed for 10 min at 45° C. in a first wash buffer (1×SSC, 0.1% SDS), three times for 10 minutes each at 45° C. in a second wash buffer (0.1×SSC), and dried.

Detection

Reporter-labeled hybridization complexes are detected with a microscope equipped with an Innova 70 mixed gas 10 W laser (Coherent, Inc., Santa Clara Calif.) capable of generating spectral lines at 488 nm for excitation of Cy3 and at 632 nm for excitation of Cy5. The excitation laser light is focused on the array using a 20× microscope objective (Nikon, Inc., Melville N.Y.). The slide containing the array is placed on a computer-controlled X-Y stage on the microscope and raster-scanned past the objective. The 1.8 cm×1.8 cm array used in the present example is scanned with a resolution of 20 micrometers.

In two separate scans, a mixed gas multiline laser excites the two fluorophores sequentially. Emitted light is split, based on wavelength, into two photomultiplier tube detectors (PMT R1477, Hamamatsu Photonics Systems, Bridgewater N.J.) corresponding to the two fluorophores. Appropriate filters positioned between the array and the photomultiplier tubes are used to filter the signals. The emission maxima of the fluorophores used are 565 nm for Cy3 and 650 nm for Cy5. Each array is typically scanned twice, one scan per fluorophore using the appropriate filters at the laser source, although the apparatus is capable of recording the spectra from both fluorophores simultaneously.

The sensitivity of the scans is typically calibrated using the signal intensity generated by a cDNA control species added to the sample mixture at a known concentration. A specific location on the array contains a complementary DNA sequence, allowing the intensity of the signal at that location to be correlated with a weight ratio of hybridizing species of 1:100,000. When two samples from different sources (e.g., representing test and control cells), each labeled with a different fluorophore, are hybridized to a single array for the purpose of identifying genes that are differentially expressed, the calibration is done by labeling samples of the calibrating cDNA with the two fluorophores and adding identical amounts of each to the hybridization mixture.

The output of the photomultiplier tube is digitized using a 12-bit RTI-835H analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion board (Analog Devices, Inc., Norwood Mass.) installed in an IBM-compatible PC computer. The digitized data are displayed as an image where the signal intensity is mapped using a linear 20-color transformation to a pseudocolor scale ranging from blue (low signal) to red (high signal). The data is also analyzed quantitatively. Where two different fluorophores are excited and measured simultaneously, the data are first corrected for optical crosstalk (due to overlapping emission spectra) between the fluorophores using each fluorophore's emission spectrum.

A grid is superimposed over the fluorescence signal image such that the signal from each spot is centered in each element of the grid. The fluorescence signal within each element is then integrated to obtain a numerical value corresponding to the average intensity of the signal. The software used for signal analysis is the GEMTOOLS gene expression analysis program (Incyte).

XI. Complementary Polynucleotides

Sequences complementary to the KAP-encoding sequences, or any parts thereof, are used to detect, decrease, or inhibit expression of naturally occurring KAP. Although use of oligonucleotides comprising from about 15 to 30 base pairs is described, essentially the same procedure is used with smaller or with larger sequence fragments. Appropriate oligonucleotides are designed using OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences) and the coding sequence of KAP. To inhibit transcription, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed from the most unique 5′ sequence and used to prevent promoter binding to the coding sequence. To inhibit translation, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed to prevent ribosomal binding to the KAP-encoding transcript.

XII. Expression of KAP

Expression and purification of KAP is achieved using bacterial or virus-based expression systems. For expression of KAP in bacteria, cDNA is subcloned into an appropriate vector containing an antibiotic resistance gene and an inducible promoter that directs high levels of cDNA transcription. Examples of such promoters include, but are not limited to, the trp-lac (tac) hybrid promoter and the T5 or T7 bacteriophage promoter in conjunction with the lac operator regulatory element. Recombinant vectors are transformed into suitable bacterial hosts, e.g., BL21(DE3). Antibiotic resistant bacteria express KAP upon induction with isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Expression of KAP in eukaryotic cells is achieved by infecting insect or mammalian cell lines with recombinant Autographica californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), commonly known as baculovirus. The nonessential polyhedrin gene of baculovirus is replaced with cDNA encoding KAP by either homologous recombination or bacterial-mediated transposition involving transfer plasmid intermediates. Viral infectivity is maintained and the strong polyhedrin promoter drives high levels of cDNA transcription. Recombinant baculovirus is used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells in most cases, or human hepatocytes, in some cases. Infection of the latter requires additional genetic modifications to baculovirus. (See Engelhard, E. K. et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3224–3227; Sandig, V. et al. (1996) Hum Gene Ther. 7:1937–1945.)

In most expression systems, KAP is synthesized as a fusion protein with, e.g., glutathione Stransferase (GST) or a peptide epitope tag, such as FLAG or 6-His, permitting rapid, single-step, affinity-based purification of recombinant fusion protein from crude cell lysates. GST, a 26-kilodalton enzyme from Schistosoma japonicum, enables the purification of fusion proteins on immobilized glutathione under conditions that maintain protein activity and antigenicity (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Following purification, the GST moiety can be proteolytically cleaved from KAP at specifically engineered sites. FLAG, an 8-amino acid peptide, enables immunoaffinity purification using commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal anti-FLAG antibodies (Eastman Kodak). 6-His, a stretch of six consecutive histidine residues, enables purification on metal-chelate resins (QIAGEN). Methods for protein expression and purification are discussed in Ausubel (1995, supra, ch. 10 and 16). Purified KAP obtained by these methods can be used directly in the assays shown in Examples XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, and XXI where applicable.

XIII. Functional Assays

KAP function is assessed by expressing the sequences encoding KAP at physiologically elevated levels in mammalian cell culture systems. cDNA is subcloned into a mammalian expression vector containing a strong promoter that drives high levels of cDNA expression. Vectors of choice include PCMV SPORT (Life Technologies) and PCR3.1 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.), both of which contain the cytomegalovirus promoter. 5–10 μg of recombinant vector are transiently transfected into a human cell line, for example, an endothelial or hematopoietic cell line, using either liposome formulations or electroporation. 1–2 μg of an additional plasmid containing sequences encoding a marker protein are co-transfected. Expression of a marker protein provides a means to distinguish transfected cells from nontransfected cells and is a reliable predictor of cDNA expression from the recombinant vector. Marker proteins of choice include, e.g., Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP; Clontech), CD64, or a CD64-GFP fusion protein. Flow cytometry (CM), an automated, laser optics-based technique, is used to identify transfected cells expressing GFP or CD64-GFP and to evaluate the apoptotic state of the cells and other cellular properties. FCM detects and quantifies the uptake of fluorescent molecules that diagnose events preceding or coincident with cell death. These events include changes in nuclear DNA content as measured by staining of DNA with propidium iodide; changes in cell size and granularity as measured by forward light scatter and 90 degree side light scatter; down-regulation of DNA synthesis as measured by decrease in bromodeoxyuridine uptake; alterations in expression of cell surface and intracellular proteins as measured by reactivity with specific antibodies; and alterations in plasma membrane composition as measured by the binding of fluorescein-conjugated Annexin V protein to the cell surface. Methods in flow cytometry are discussed in Ormerod, M. G. (1994) Flow Cytometry, Oxford, New York N.Y.

The influence of KAP on gene expression can be assessed using highly purified populations of cells transfected with sequences encoding KAP and either CD64 or CD64-GFP. CD64 and CD64-GFP are expressed on the surface of transfected cells and bind to conserved regions of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). Transfected cells are efficiently separated from nontransfected cells using magnetic beads coated with either human IgG or antibody against CD64 (DYNAL, Lake Success N.Y.). mRNA can be purified from the cells using methods well known by those of skill in the art. Expression of mRNA encoding KAP and other genes of interest can be analyzed by northern analysis or microarray techniques.

XIV. Production of KAP Specific Antibodies

KAP substantially purified using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE; see, e.g., Harrington, M. G. (1990) Methods Enzymol. 182:488–495), or other purification techniques, is used to immunize rabbits and to produce antibodies using standard protocols.

Alternatively, the KAP amino acid sequence is analyzed using LASERGENE software (DNASTAR) to determine regions of high immunogenicity, and a corresponding oligopeptide is synthesized and used to raise antibodies by means known to those of skill in the art. Methods for selection of appropriate epitopes, such as those near the C-terminus or in hydrophilic regions are well described in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra, ch. 11.)

Typically, oligopeptides of about 15 residues in length are synthesized using an ABI 431A peptide synthesizer (Applied Biosystems) using FMOC chemistry and coupled to KLH (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis Mo.) by reaction with N-malemidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS) to increase immunogenicity. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra.) Rabbits are immunized with the oligopeptide-KLH complex in complete Freund's adjuvant Resulting antisera are tested for antipeptide and anti-KAP activity by, for example, binding the peptide or KAP to a substrate, blocking with 1% BSA, reacting with rabbit antisera, washing, and reacting with radio-iodinated goat anti-rabbit IgG.

XV. Purification of Naturally Occurring KAP Using Specific Antibodies

Naturally occurring or recombinant KAP is substantially purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific for KAP. An immunoaffinity column is constructed by covalently coupling anti-KAP antibody to an activated chromatographic resin, such as CNBr-activated SEPHAROSE (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). After the coupling, the resin is blocked and washed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Media containing KAP are passed over the immunoaffinity column, and the column is washed under conditions that allow the preferential absorbance of KAP (e.g., high ionic strength buffers in the presence of detergent). The column is eluted under conditions that disrupt antibody/KAP binding (e.g., a buffer of pH 2 to pH 3, or a high concentration of a chaotrope; such as urea or thiocyanate ion), and KAP is collected.

XVI. Identification of Molecules which Interact with KAP

KAP, or biologically active fragments thereof, are labeled with ¹²⁵I Bolton-Hunter reagent. (See, e.g., Bolton, A. E. and W. M. Hunter (1973) Biochem. J. 133:529–539.) Candidate molecules previously arrayed in the wells of a multi-well plate are incubated with the labeled KAP, washed, and any wells with labeled KAP complex are assayed. Data obtained using different concentrations of KAP are used to calculate values for the number, affinity, and association of KAP with the candidate molecules.

Alternatively, molecules interacting with KAP are analyzed using the yeast two-hybrid system as described in Fields, S. and O. Song (1989) Nature 340:245–246, or using commercially available kits based on the two-hybrid system, such as the MATCHMAKER system (Clontech).

KAP may also be used in the PATHCALLING process (CuraGen Corp., New Haven Conn.) which employs the yeast two-hybrid system in a high-throughput manner to determine all interactions between the proteins encoded by two large libraries of genes (Nandabalan, K. et al. (2000) U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,101).

XVII. Demonstration of KAP Activity

Generally, protein kinase activity is measured by quantifying the phosphorylation of a protein substrate by KAP in the presence of [γ-³²P]ATP. KAP is incubated with the protein substrate, ³²P-ATP, and an appropriate kinase buffer. The ³²P incorporated into the substrate is separated from free ³²P-ATP by electrophoresis and the incorporated ³²P is counted using a radioisotope counter. The amount of incorporated ³²P is proportional to the activity of KAP. A determination of the specific amino acid residue phosphorylated is made by phosphoamino acid analysis of the hydrolyzed protein.

In one alternative, protein kinase activity is measured by quantifying the transfer of gamma phosphate from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to a serine, threonine or tyrosine residue in a protein substrate. The reaction occurs between a protein kinase sample with a biotinylated peptide substrate and gamma ³²P-ATP. Following the reaction, free avidin in solution is added for binding to the biotinylated ³²P-peptide product. The binding sample then undergoes a centrifugal ultrafiltration process with a membrane which will retain the product-avidin complex and allow passage of free gamma ³²P-ATP. The reservoir of the centrifuged unit containing the ³²P-peptide product as retentate is then counted in a scintillation counter. This procedure allows the assay of any type of protein kinase sample, depending on the peptide substrate and kinase reaction buffer selected. This assay is provided in kit form (ASUA, Affinity Ultrafiltration Separation Assay, Transbio Corporation, Baltimore Md., U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,275). Suggested substrates and their respective enzymes include but are not limited to: Histone H1 (Sigma) and p34^(cdc2)kinase, Annexin I, Angiotensin (Sigma) and EGF receptor kinase, Annexin II and src kinase, ERK1 & ERK2 substrates and MEK, and myelin basic protein and ERK (Pearson, J. D. et al. (1991) Methods Enzymol. 200:62–81).

In another alternative, protein kinase activity of KAP is demonstrated in an assay containing KAP, 50 μl of kinase buffer, 1 μg substrate, such as myelin basic protein (MBP) or synthetic peptide substrates, 1 mM DTT, 10 μg ATP, and 0.5 μCi [γ-³²P]ATP. The reaction is incubated at 30° C. for 30 minutes and stopped by pipetting onto P81 paper. The unincorporated [γ-³²P]ATP is removed by washing and the incorporated radioactivity is measured using a scintillation counter. Alternatively, the reaction is stopped by heating to 100° C. in the presence of SDS loading buffer and resolved on a 12% SDS polyacrylamide gel followed by autoradiography. The amount of incorporated ³²P is proportional to the activity of KAP.

In yet another alternative, adenylate kinase or guanylate kinase activity of KAP may be measured by the incorporation of ³²P from [γ-³²P]ATP into ADP or GDP using a gamma radioisotope counter. KAP, in a kinase buffer, is incubated together with the appropriate nucleotide mono-phosphate substrate (AMP or GMP) and ³²P-labeled ATP as the phosphate donor. The reaction is incubated at 37° C. and terminated by addition of trichloroacetic acid. The acid extract is neutralized and subjected to gel electrophoresis to separate the mono, di-, and triphosphonucleotide fractions. The diphosphonucleotide fraction is excised and counted. The radioactivity recovered is proportional to the activity of KAP.

In yet another alternative, other assays for KAP include scintillation proximity assays (SPA), scintillation plate technology and filter binding assays. Useful substrates include recombinant proteins tagged with glutathione transferase, or synthetic peptide substrates tagged with biotin. Inhibitors of KAP activity, such as small organic molecules, proteins or peptides, may be identified by such assays.

In another alternative, phosphatase activity of KAP is measured by the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP). KAP is incubated together with PNPP in HEPES buffer pH 7.5, in the presence of 0.1% β-mercaptoethanol at 37° C. for 60 min. The reaction is stopped by the addition of 6 ml of 10 N NaOH (Diamond, R. H. et al. (1994) Mol. Cell. Biol. 14:3752–62). Alternatively, acid phosphatase activity of KAP is demonstrated by incubating KAP-containing extract with 100 μl of 10 mM PNPP in 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 4.5, and 50 μl of 40 mM NaCl at 37° C. for 20 min. The reaction is stopped by the addition of 0.5 ml of 0.4 M glycine/NaOH, pH 10.4 (Saftig, P. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem 272:18628–18635). The increase in light absorbance at 410 nm resulting from the hydrolysis of PNPP is measured using a spectrophotometer. The increase in light absorbance is proportional to the activity of KAP in the assay.

In the alternative, KAP activity is determined by measuring the amount of phosphate removed from a phosphorylated protein substrate. Reactions are performed with 2 or 4 nM KAP in a final volume of 30 μl containing 60 mM Tris, pH 7.6, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 0.1% β-mercaptoethanol and 10 μM substrate, ³²P-labeled on serine/threonine or tyrosine, as appropriate. Reactions are initiated with substrate and incubated at 30° C. for 10–15 min. Reactions are quenched with 450 μl of 4% (w/v) activated charcoal in 0.6 M HCl, 90 mM Na₄P₂O₇, and 2 mM NaH₂PO₄, then centrifuged at 12,000×g for 5 min. Acid-soluble ³²Pi is quantified by liquid scintillation counting (Sinclair, C. et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:23666–23672).

XVIII. Kinase Binding Assay

Binding of KAP to a FLAG-CD44 cyt fusion protein can be determined by incubating KAP with anti-KAP-conjugated immunoaffinity beads followed by incubating portions of the beads (having 10–20 ng of protein) with 0.5 ml of a binding buffer (20 mM Tris-HCL (pH 7.4), 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% bovine serum albumin, and 0.05% Triton X-100) in the presence of ¹²⁵I-labeled FLAG-CD44cyt fusion protein (5,000 cpm/ng protein ) at 4° C. for 5 hours. Following binding, beads were washed thoroughly in the binding buffer and the bead-bound radioactivity measured in a scintillation counter (Bourguignon, L. Y. W. et al. (2001) J. Biol. Chem 276:7327–7336). The amount of incorporated ³²P is proportional to the amount of bound KAP.

XIX. Identification of KAP Inhibitors

Compounds to be tested are arrayed in the wells of a 384-well plate in varying concentrations along with an appropriate buffer and substrate, as described in the assays in Example XVII. KAP activity is measured for each well and the ability of each compound to inhibit KAP activity can be determined, as well as the dose-response kinetics. This assay could also be used to identify molecules which enhance KAP activity.

XX. Identification of KAP Substrates

A KAP “substrate-trapping” assay takes advantage of the increased substrate affinity that may be conferred by certain mutations in the PTP signature sequence of protein tyrosine phosphatases. KAP bearing these mutations form a stable complex with their substrate; this complex may be isolated biochemically. Site-directed mutagenesis of invariant residues in the PTP signature sequence in a clone encoding the catalytic domain of KAP is performed using a method standard in the art or a commercial kit, such as the MUTA-GENE kit from BIO-RAD. For expression of KAP mutants in Escherichia coli, DNA fragments containing the mutation are exchanged with the corresponding wild-type sequence in an expression vector bearing the sequence encoding KAP or a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-KAP fusion protein. KAP mutants are expressed in E. coli and purified by chromatography.

The expression vector is transfected into COS1 or 293 cells via calcium phosphate-mediated transfection with 20 μg of CsCl-purified DNA per 10-cm dish of cells or 8 μg per 6cm dish. Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells are stimulated with 100 ng/ml epidermal growth factor to increase tyrosine phosphorylation in cells, as the tyrosine kinase EGFR is abundant in COS cells. Cells are lysed in 50 mM TrisHCl, pH 7.5/5 mM EDTA/150 mM NaCl/1% Triton X-100/5 mM iodoacetic acid/10 mM sodium phosphate/10 mM NaF/5 μg/ml leupeptin/5 μg/ml aprotinin/1 mM benzamidine (1 ml per 10-cm dish, 0.5 ml per 6-cm dish). KAP is immunoprecipitated from lysates with an appropriate antibody. GST-KAP fusion proteins are precipitated with glutathione-Sepharose, 4 μg of mAb or 10 μl of beads respectively per mg of cell lysate. Complexes can be visualized by PAGE or further purified to identify substrate molecules (Flint, A. J. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:1680–1685).

XXI. Enhancement/Inhibition of Protein Kinase Activity

Agonists or antagonists of KAP activation or inhibition may be tested using assays described in section XVII. Agonists cause an increase in KAP activity and antagonists cause a decrease in KAP activity.

Various modifications and variations of the described methods and systems of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in molecular biology or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

TABLE 1 Polynucleo- Incyte Incyte Polypeptide Incyte tide SEQ Polynucleo- Project ID SEQ ID NO: Polypeptide ID ID NO: tide ID 4615110 1 4615110CD1 21 4615110CB1 4622229 2 4622229CD1 22 4622229CB1 72358203 3 72358203CD1 23 72358203CB1 4885040 4 4885040CD1 24 4885040CB1 7484507 5 7484507CD1 25 7484507CB1 7198931 6 7198931CD1 26 7198931CB1 7482905 7 7482905CD1 27 7482905CB1 7483019 8 7483019CD1 28 7483019CB1 5455490 9 5455490CD1 29 5455490CB1 5547067 10 5547067CD1 30 5547067CB1 71675660 11 71675660CD1 31 71675660CB1 71678683 12 71678683CD1 32 71678683CB1 7474567 13 7474567CD1 33 7474567CB1 3838946 14 3838946CD1 34 3838946CB1 72001176 15 72001176CD1 35 72001176CB1 55064363 16 55064363CD1 36 55064363CB1 7482044 17 7482044CD1 37 7482044CB1 7476595 18 7476595CD1 38 7476595CB1 71824382 19 71824382CD1 39 71824382CB1 3566882 20 3566882CD1 40 3566882CB1

TABLE 2 Incyte GenBank ID NO: Polypeptide Polypeptide or PROTEOME Probability SEQ ID NO: ID ID NO: Score Annotation 1 4615110CD1 g3598974 0 [Rattus norvegicus] protein tyrosine phosphatase TD14. Cao, L. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21077–21083 2 4622229CD1 g4079673 0 myotubularin related 1 [Homo sapiens]. Kioschis, P. et al. (1998) Genomics 54: 256–266 3 72358203CD1 g7768151 6.40E−17  Protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) [Fagus sylvatica]. 4 4885040CD1 g6468206 1.20E−119 [Mus musculus] thiamin pyrophosphokinase. Nosaka, K. et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274: 34129–34133 5 7484507CD1 g7649810 7.20E−14  [Homo sapiens] protein kinase PAK5 6 7198931CD1 g2815888 0 [Homo sapiens] MEK kinase 1. Xia, Y. et al. (1998) Genes Dev. 12: 3369–3381 7 7482905CD1 g256855 2.10E−161 [Mus sp.] serine/threonine-and tyrosine-specific protein kinase, Nek1 = NIMA cell cycle regulator homolog. Letwin, K., et al. (1992) EMBO J. 11: 3521–3531 8 7483019CD1 g6552404 8.40E−197 [Rattus norvegicus] DLG6 alpha. Inagaki, H. et al. (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 265: 462–468 9 5455490CD1 g406058 0 protein kinase [Mus musculus]. (Walden, P. D. and Cowan, N. J. (1993) Mol. Cell. Biol. 13: 7625–7635) 10 5547067CD1 g1033033 5.90E−41  ribosomal S6 kinase [Homo sapiens]. (Zhao, Y. et al. (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15: 4353–4363) 11 71675660CD1 g2738898 9.40E−175 protein kinase [Mus musculus]. (Kueng, P. et al. (1997) J. Cell Biol. 139: 1851–1859) 12 71678683CD1 g2738898 4.00E−174 protein kinase [Mus musculus]. (Kueng, P. et al. (1997) J. Cell Biol. 139: 1851–1859) 13 7474567CD1 p6723964 2.50E−72  putative serine/threonine protein kinase [Schizosaccharomyces pombe] 14 3838946CD1 g4982155 2.80E−53  glycerate kinase, putative [Thermotoga maritima]. (Nelson, K. E. et al. (1999) Nature 399: 323–329) 15 72001176CD1 g11177010 5.70E−232 casein kinase 1 gamma 1L [Homo sapiens] 16 55064363CD1 g1679668 0 Mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase 5 [Homo sapiens] (Wang, X. S. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271: 31607–31611) 17 7482044CD1 g11527775 0 Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase [Homo sapiens] 18 7476595CD1 g406058 0 [Mus musculus] protein kinase. Walden, P. D. and Cowan, N. J. (1993) A Novel 205-kDa Testis-specific Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase Associated with Microtubules of the Spermatid Manchette. Mol. Cell. Biol. 13, 7625–7635

TABLE 3 Ami- no SEQ Acid Analytical ID Incyte Resi- Potential Potential Methods and NO: Polypeptide ID dues Phosphorylation Sites Glycosylation Sites Signature Sequences, Domains and Motifs Databases 1 4615110CD1 1636 S86 S101 S136 S193 N652 N1245 N1634 Protein-tyrosine phosphatase: Y1217-R1451 HMMER_PFAM S275 S311 S429 S455 S487 S546 S645 S869 S1056 S1122 S1218 S1231 S1238 S1247 S1290 S1322 S1342 S1475 S1506 S1533 S1575 S1593 S1625 T95 T293 T352 T434 T450 T486 T511 T882 T1068 T1144 T1269 T1305 T1328 T1354 Y272 Y320 Y1165 Y1229 Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases proteins BLIMPS_(—) BL00383: K1220-V1234, D1241-V1249, D1272- BLOCKS V1282, H1349-P1361, V1390-G1400, R1429- F1444 Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases signature and PROFILESCAN profiles: L1367-M1428 Protein tyrosine phosphatase signature PR00700: BLIMPS_(—) D1242-V1249, I1259-E1279, R1345-D1362, P1387- PRINTS L1405, P1419-H1434, M1435-C1445 PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHATASE TD14 EC BLAST_(—) 3.1.3.48 HYDROLASE PD180360: F967-L1219 PRODOM PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHATASE TD14 EC BLAST_(—) 3.1.3.48 HYDROLASE PD184907: K713-G952 PRODOM PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHATASE TD14 EC BLAST_(—) 3.1.3.48 HYDROLASE PD169419: A1567-T1636 PRODOM PROTEIN-TYROSINE-PHOSPHATASE BLAST_DOMO DM00089|P17706|4–277: K1220-V1450 PROTEIN-TYROSINE-PHOSPHATASE BLAST_DOMO DM00089|P26045|632–904: K1220-Q1455 PROTEIN-TYROSINE-PHOSPHATASE BLAST_DOMO DM00089|P29074|641–914: K1220-Q1455 PROTEIN-TYROSINE-PHOSPHATASE BLAST_DOMO DM00089|P43378|285–577: K1220-Q1455 Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases active site: MOTIFS V1390-F1402 2 4622229CD1 673 S53 S113 S163 S172 N78 N251 N359 Transmembrane domains: W517-S543; N-terminus TMAP S225 S253 S261 is cytosolic S278 S342 S354 S391 S402 S410 S437 S525 S575 S600 S654 S656 T136 T334 T358 T470 T476 T536 Y331 Y400 Y563 Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases proteins BLIMPS_(—) BL00383: W570-D578, Q511-R521, V444-A454 BLOCKS Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases signature and PROFILESCAN profiles: L424-K480 HYDROLASE PROTEIN MYOTUBULARIN BLAST_(—) DISEASE MUTATION F53A2.8 PROTEIN PRODOM TYROSINE PHOSPHATASE C19A8.03 CPA2NNF1 PD014611: C178-Y372, D504-H591 MYOTUBULARIN DISEASE MUTATION BLAST_(—) HYDROLASE PD144999: H601-T671 PRODOM Tyrosine specific protein phosphatases active site: MOTIFS V444-L456 3 72358203CD1 459 S50, T257, T278, Protein phosphatase 2C: Q326-K415, L187-L265 HMMER-PFAM S306, T364, S430, S438 Protein phosphatase 2C: BL01032: Y120-G129, BLIMPS_(—) L187-G204, G214-S223, N232-E271, R328-D341, BLOCKS D376-D388 PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2C MAGNESIUM BLAST_(—) HYDROLASE MANGANESE MULTIGENE PRODOM FAMILY PP2C ISOFORM: PD001101: G322- L403, Y120-D289 PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2C: BLAST-DOMO DM00377|P49596|1–295: A191-I262, R328-S456, Y120-E149 4 4885040CD1 243 S74 S92 T6 T56 N203 Ribokinase signature PR00990 V121-F132 BLIMPS_(—) T176 PRINTS THIAMIN PYROPHOSPHOKINASE PUTATIVE BLAST_(—) TPK KINASE, PD106295: H170-M239; PRODOM PD036502: L21-Q144 5 7484507CD1 632 S6 S20 S114 S212 N208 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: V55-L173, W201- HMMER_PFAM S231 S244 S251 L297 S283 S300 S318 S504 S575 S587 S601 S607 T12 T183 T258 T269 T287 T338 T418 Transmembrane domains: E421-N448 M472-G487, TMAP N terminus cytosolic Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain PROO109, Y147- BLIMPS_(—) L165, F197-L207, S215-E237 PRINTS PHOSPHORYLASE KINASE ALP PD01841: L422- BLIMPS_(—) L458, A464-I505, G567-L603, E23-E72, L142- PRODOM E193 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN DM00004; BLAST_DOMO P51955|10–261: V30-M233; S43968|28–311: Q33- K289, R271-I288 A55480|28–320: Q33-K289, R271- L297; P49186|28–320: Q33-K289, R271-L297 6 7198931CD1 1511 S35 S118 S232 S258 N346 N540 N744 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: W1242-F1507 HMMER_PFAM S275 S281 S300 N806 N1068 N1085 S394 S397 S398 N1099 N1128 S429 S434 S507 N1278 N1347 S514 S531 S588 S669 S782 S816 S823 S900 S923 S928 S1025 S1038 S1087 S1088 S1129 S1130 S1281 T20 T169 T261 T304 T379 T457 T657 T705 T911 T946 T996 T1020 T1069 T1113 T1147 T1165 T1279 Y1166 Transmembrane domains: S348-L368, A1392- TMAP L1420; N-terminus is cytosolic Protein kinases signatures and profile: V1344- PROFILESCAN G1398 Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: L1476-S1498, Y1358-I1376, G1410-L1420, PRINTS C1429-E1451 MAPK/ERK KINASE 1 EC 2.7.1. MEK MEKK BLAST_(—) TRANSFERASE SERINE/THREONINE PRODOM PROTEIN ATP BINDING PHOSPHORYLATION PD144583: M1-E601 MAPK/ERK KINASE 1 EC 2.7.1. MEK MEKK BLAST_(—) TRANSFERASE SERINE/THREONINE PRODOM PROTEIN ATP BINDING PHOSPHORYLATION PD146039: Q624-Q1247 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN BLAST_DOMO DM00004|P53349|405–658: K1244-S1498 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN BLAST_DOMO DM00004|A48084|98–348: K1244-R1495 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN BLAST_DOMO DM00004|Q01389|1176–1430: L1243-P1496 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN BLAST_DOMO DM00004|Q10407|826–1084: L1243-L1488 Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature: I1248- MOTIFS K1271 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I1364-I1376 7 7482905CD1 830 S54 S179 S260 S279 N159 N303 N401 signal_cleavage: M1-S54 SPSCAN S280 S327 S352 N540 N715 S370 S378 S440 S457 S525 S545 S580 S624 S664 S698 S708 S741 S747 T267 T354 T358 T403 T481 T490 T512 T634 T640 T674 SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN KINASE NEK1 BLAST_(—) EC 2.7.1. NIMA RELATED PROTEIN 1 PRODOM TRANSFERASE ATP BINDING MITOSIS NUCLEAR PHOSPHORYLATION CELL CYCLE DIVISION TYROSINE PROTEIN PD144030: M1- L394 8 7483019CD1 455 S142 S200 S208 N419 Guanylate kinase: T281-Y385 HMMER_PFAM S242 S308 S374 S421 S450 T16 T280 T283 Y307 Y317 Y359 PDZ domain: I3-V83 HMMER_PFAM Guanylate kinase protein BL00856: BLIMPS_(—) BLOCKS SH3 domain signature PR00452: A115-Q130, D132- BLIMPS_(—) I141, C147-R159 PRINTS PROTEIN DOMAIN SH3 KINASE GUANYLATE BLAST_(—) TRANSFERASE ATP BINDING REPEAT GMP PRODOM MEMBRANE PD001338: T280-Q373 PROTEIN MAGUK P55 SUBFAMILY MEMBER BLAST_(—) MPP3 DISCS LARGE HOMOLOG SH3 PRODOM PD090357: P169-T280 PROTEIN MAGUK P55 SUBFAMILY MEMBER BLAST_(—) DISCS LARGE HOMOLOG SH3 DOMAIN PRODOM PD152180: V94-Q161 GUANYLATE KINASE DM00755|A57653|370–570: BLAST_DOMO P241-P444 GUANYLATE KINASE DM00755|P54936|769–955: BLAST_DOMO R246-K372, M388-P444 GUANYLATE KINASE DM00755|I38757|709–898: BLAST_DOMO R246-P444 GUANYLATE KINASE DM00755|P31007|765–954: BLAST_DOMO R246-P444 Guanylate kinase signature: T280-V297 MOTIFS 9 5455490CD1 1720 S75 S82 S86 S115 N1115 N1174 Signal Peptide: M1-S68 SPSCAN S119 S140 S152 N1215 S175 S203 S402 S425 S430 S455 S697 S728 S733 S739 S747 S768 S776 S782 S796 S831 S836 S853 S1006 S1022 S1117 S1127 S1136 S1147 S1151 S1152 S1178 S1194 S1254 S1259 S1340 S1347 S1351 S1369 S1381 S1413 S1425 S1426 S1463 S1572 S1579 S1582 S1593 S1620 S1639 S1693 T188 T428 T436 T487 T503 T651 T681 T708 T737 T793 T838 T847 T871 T936 T958 T962 T1039 T1111 T1158 T1166 T1346 T1402 T1597 T1687 Signal Peptide: M31-S56 HMMER PDZ domain (or DHR, or GLGF): P1026-L1113 HMMER_PFAM Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: F434-F707 HMMER_PFAM Transmembrane domains: V328-E350, D629- TMAP F647; N terminus is cytosolic. Protein kinases signatures and profile: F501-I581 PROFILESCAN Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain sig. PR00109: BLIMPS_(—) M511-K524, Y547-I565, V628-D650 PRINTS MICROTUBULE ASSOCIATED TESTIS BLAST_(—) SPECIFIC SERINE/THREONINE KINASE PRODOM PD142315: H1235-T1720; PD182663: E785-H1061; PD135564: C83-Y242; PD041650: K243- D433 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN: BLAST_DOMO DM00004|A54602|455–712: T436-G694; DM08046|P05986|1–397: S430-K580; DM00004|S42867|75–498: I437-T588; DM00004|S42864|41–325: E435-K580, H594- T695 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I553-I565 10 5547067CD1 449 S17 S45 S89 S107 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: L146-F398 HMMER_PFAM S208 S244 S358 S425 T86 T167 T187 T337 T356 Transmembrane domains: S244-R267, D324-P341; TMAP N terminus is cytosolic. Protein kinases signatures and profile: F248-A297 PROFILESCAN Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature, BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: Y258-L276, G304-L314, A323-E345 PRINTS PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN: BLAST_DOMO DM00004|A53300|64–305: L146-L386; DM08046|P06244|1–396: Q144-F435; DM00004|A57459|61–302: L146-L386; DM00004|S56639|153–391: I148-L386 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I264-L276 11 71675660CD1 358 S31 S158 S258 S284 N240 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: Y12-L272 HMMER_PFAM S349 T48 T340 Y293 Transmembrane domain: V196-M224; N terminus TMAP is non-cytosolic. Protein kinases signatures and profile: D111-S165 PROFILESCAN Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature: BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: M90-K103, Y126-L144, L241-I263 PRINTS TESTIS SPECIFIC SERINE/ THREONINE BLAST_(—) KINASE 2 PROTEIN KINASE; PD029090: L272- PRODOM T358 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN: BLAST_DOMO DM00004|P27448|58–297: L18-L253; DM00004|JC1446|20–261: V14-I263; DM00004|S24578|18–262: V14-I263; DM00004|I48609|55–294: L18-R260 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I132-L144 Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature: L18- MOTIFS K41 12 71678683CD1 358 S31 S158 S258 S284 N240 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: Y12-L272 HMMER_PFAM S349 T48 T340 Y293 Transmembrane domain: V196-M224; N terminus TMAP is non-cytosolic. Protein kinases signatures and profile: D111-S165 PROFILESCAN Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature, BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: M90-K103, Y126-L144, G177-L187, PRINTS Y197-S219, L241-I263 TESTIS SPECIFIC SERINE/THREONINE BLAST_(—) KINASE 2 PROTEIN KINASE, PD029090: L272- PRODOM T358 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN: BLAST_DOMO DM00004|P27448|58–297: L18-L253; DM00004|JC1446|20–261: V14-I263; DM00004|S24578|18–262: V14-I263; DM00004|I48609|55–294: L18-R260 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I132-L144 Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature: L18- MOTIFS K41 13 7474567CD1 929 S56 S85 S171 S207 N51 N187 N630 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: L159-F327, F32- HMMER_PFAM S483 S660 S677 T53 N726 N768 N916 H106 T57 T245 T313 T401 T440 T555 T608 T658 T679 T712 T722 T737 T760 T765 Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature, BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: L168-L186, S247-V269, I296- PRINTS A318 14 3838946CD1 523 S283 S289 S367 N487 Transmembrane domain: E163-L183, N-terminus TMAP S417 T166 T191 is non-cytosolic T208 T214 Y328 HYDROXYPYRUVATE REDUCTASE PLASMID BLAST_(—) OXIDOREDUCTASE NADP PROTEIN PRODOM GLYCERATE KINASE, PD014236: K131-T357, T357-L520 15 72001176CD1 459 S96 S124 S150 S229 N370 N388 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: F44-E276 HMMER_PFAM S373 T14 T137 T199 T214 T258 T269 T273 T355 T411 T454 Transmembrane domain: D133-I161 N-terminus is TMAP cytosolic. Protein kinases signatures and profile: T140-E198 PROFILESCAN CASEIN KINASE I, GAMMA 1 ISOFORM EC BLAST_(—) 2.7.1. GAMMA TRANSFERASE PRODOM SERINE/THREONINE ATP BINDING MULTIGENE FAMILY PHOSPHORYLATION; PD049080: M1-N43, PD015080: F315-W379 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN: BLAST_DOMO DM00004|A56711|46–303: V46-Y304; DM00004|C56711|45–301: V46-Y304; DM00004|B56711|48–303: V46-Y304; DM00004|D56406|31–276: V46-V293 Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature: I50- MOTIFS K73 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: L160-I172 16 55064363CD1 1360 S23 S56 S212 S253 N381 N620 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: V704-L955 HMMER-PFAM S338 S382 S432 S486 S550 S609 S625 S632 S655 S677 S762 S843 S934 S991 S1025 S1031 S1040 S1041 S1056 S1084 T48 T205 T218 T428 T466 T545 T685 T796 T842 T887 T893 T945 T983 T1234 T1287 T1314 T1323 Y810 Y1313 Transmembrane domains: S445-T466, S1129- TMAP V1146; N-terminus is cytosolic Protein kinases signature: T796-G848 ProfileScan Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature: L705- MOTIFS K728 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I816-V828 Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature BLIMPS-PRINTS PR00109: M773-R786, Y810-V828, G858- I868, A879-L901, L924-T946 Kinase, apoptosis, ASK1, MEK signal-regulating, BLAST_(—) mitogen-activated, MEKK5, MAP/ERK, PRODOM MAPKKK5 PD018410: V75-N620 Kinase, apoptosis, ASK1, MEK signal-regulating, BLAST_(—) mitogen-activated, MEKK5, MAP/ERK, PRODOM MAPKKK5 PD014104: P982-G1205 Kinase, apoptosis, ASK1, MEK signal-regulating, BLAST_(—) mitogen-activated, MEKK5, MAP/ERK, PRODOM MAPKKK5 PD024456: E1215-R1348 Kinase, apoptosis, ASK1, MEK signal-regulating, BLAST_(—) mitogen-activated, MEKK5, MAP/ERK, PRODOM MAPKKK5 PD012471: F621-D697 Protein kinase domains: DM00004|A48084|98–348: BLAST-DOMO V704-R943; DM00004|Q01389|1176–1430: V704- T945; DM00004|Q10407|826–1084: V704-T945; DM00004|P41892|11–249: L705-T946 17 7482044CD1 1345 S31 S35 S191 S250 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: L181-F439 HMMER-PFAM S323 S338 S517 S600 S625 S1131 S1160 S1165 T67 T136 T154 T174 T203 T218 T268 T333 T396 T459 T492 T1161 T1201 T1231 T1251 T1273 T1294 Y428 Transmembrane domain: A868-A890; N-terminus is TMAP cytosolic Protein kinases signature: L284-F339 ProfileScan Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I305-I317 Leucine zipper pattern: L826-L847 MOTIFS Protein kinase domains: DM00004|A48084|98–348: BLAST-DOMO V704-R943; DM00004|Q01389|1176–1430: V704- T945; DM00004|Q10407|826–1084: V704-T945; DM00004|P41892|11–249: L705- T946; DM00004|P51957|8–251: L187-R427, DM00004|P41892|11–249: L187-V395, DM00004|Q05609|553–797: E186-C419 18 7476595CD1 2038 S18 S28 S324 S329 N16 N645 N703 PDZ domain (Also known as DHR or GLGF): Q555- HMMER_PFAM S335 S365 S407 N740 N1266 F643 S448 S536 S562 N1282 N1473 S647 S657 S666 S669 S674 S680 S707 S721 S728 S731 S780 S785 S871 S878 S882 S895 S903 S930 S938 S974 S1000 S1007 S1027 S1073 S1109 S1182 S1199 S1231 S1262 S1270 S1278 S1305 S1340 S1389 S1398 S1514 S1517 S1574 S1583 S1590 S1606 S1629 S1650 S1660 S1745 S1863 S1879 S1899 S1913 S1938 S1960 S2028 T32 T83 T99 T247 T333 T343 T349 T435 T465 T511 T569 T641 T695 T886 T1059 T1079 T1177 T1184 T1321 T1327 T1395 T1407 T1420 T1436 T1554 T1692 T1753 T1769 T1780 T1790 T1844 T1931 T1971 T2006 Y1794 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: F30-F303 HMMER_PFAM TMAP: D225-F243; N-terminus is cytosolic TMAP Protein kinases signatures and profile protein: F97- PROFILESCAN V177 Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: M107-K120, Y143-V161, V224-D246, PRINTS P269-T291 MICROTUBULE ASSOCIATED TESTIS BLAST_(—) SPECIFIC SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN PRODOM KINASE 205 KD TESTISSPECIFIC SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN KINASE MAST205 KINASE, PD142315: H760-A1021, P1578-P1716, P1498-P1609, PD069998: T639-D734, PD182663: E499-N591 PROTEIN KINASE SERINE/THREONINE KIN4 BLAST_(—) MICROTUBULE ASSOCIATED TESTIS PRODOM SPECIFIC TESTISSPECIFIC MAST205, PD040805: L306-N374 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN; BLAST_DOMO DM00004|A54602|455–712: T32-G290; DM00004|S42867|75–498: I33-K176, H190-F331; DM08046|P05986|1–397: S28-K176, V203-D351; DM08046|P06244|1–396: D29-K176, V203-F354 ATP/GTP-binding site motif A (P-loop): A1450- MOTIFS T1457 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature: I149-V161 19 71824382CD1 1770 S167 S286 S344 N560 N792 N854 CNH domain: K1266-K1550 HMMER_PFAM S364 S369 S411 N1680 N1739 S459 S475 S507 N1742 S555 S616 S705 S750 S752 S781 S813 S877 S884 S917 S926 S940 S977 S997 S1013 S1193 S1322 S1334 S1357 S1457 S1568 S1583 S1658 S1673 S1694 S1702 S1731 S1751 T30 T64 T423 T591 T624 T691 T746 T780 T788 T959 T1011 T1032 T1050 T1121 T1223 T1293 T1543 T1763 Y358 Y1252 Phorbol esters/diacylglycerol binding domain: HMMER_PFAM H1051-C1100 PH domain: T1121-K1239 HMMER_PFAM Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: F77-F343 HMMER_PFAM Protein kinase C terminal domain: S344-D372 HMMER_PFAM Phorbol esters/diacylglycerol binding domain PROFILESCAN dag_pe_binding_domain: C1064-A1122 Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: M154-S167, S191-M209, C263-E285 PRINTS Domain found in NIK1-lik BLIMPS_PFAM PF00780B: I738-T780 PF00780F: T1050-A1096 PF00780G: K1195-H1238 FF00780I: M1485-N1514 MYTONIC DYSTROPHY KINASE-RELATED BLAST_(—) CDC42-BINDING KINASE PHORBOLESTER PRODOM BINDING KIAA0451 PROTEIN PD143271: R1643-P1770 MYTONIC DYSTROPHY KINASE-RELATED BLAST_(—) CDC42-BINDING KINASE PHORBOLESTER PRODOM BINDING PD075023: E630-N713 PHORBOLESTER BINDING KINASE BLAST_(—) DYSTROPHY KINASE-RELATED CDC42- PRODOM BINDING SIMILAR SERINE/THREONINE PROTEIN GENGHIS KHAN PD150840: W1518- S1642 PHORBOLESTER BINDING DYSTROPHY BLAST_(—) KINASE-RELATED CDC42-BINDING KINASE PRODOM GENGHIS KHAN MYTONIC MYOTONIC PD011252: D833-F967 PROTEIN KINASE DOMAIN DM00004; BLAST_DOMO |Q09013|83–336: I79-Q331; |S42867|75–498: I79- L226, V238-Y404, P1653-D1728; |I38133|90–369: E78-L226, V238-G330; |P53894|353–658: L80- G221, D205-Q331 Leucine zipper pattern L772-L793 L779-L800 L786- MOTIFS L807 C-type lectin domain signature C1067-C1088 MOTIFS Phorbol esters/diacylglycerol binding domain MOTIFS H1051-C1100 Protein kinases ATP-binding region signature I83- MOTIFS K106 Serine/Threonine protein kinases active-site MOTIFS signature Y197-M209 20 3566882CD1 720 S91 S117 S146 S148 Ank repeat: E448-R480, D382-R414, V580-Q612, HMMER_PFAM S264 S268 S299 E415-A447, N481-Q513, S349-E381, Q547-A579, S690 S697 T17 T166 S613-K645, V646-G678 T398 Y314 Eukaryotic protein kinase domain: S156-P231 HMMER_PFAM Transmembrane domain: S146-Y171 TMAP Tyrosine kinase catalytic domain signature BLIMPS_(—) PR00109: M94-S107, L152-L174, E211-F233 PRINTS

TABLE 4 Polynucleotide SEQ ID NO:/ Incyte ID/ Sequence Length Sequence Fragments 21/4615110CB1/ 1–224, 1–277, 4–272, 14–161, 14–225, 42–679, 43–503, 43–609, 43–708, 43–714, 43–872, 48–688, 124–438, 178–4215, 199–420, 5200 200–720, 240–549, 352–679, 355–637, 355–756, 371–754, 374–992, 446–992, 459–1093, 506–1102, 545–827, 564–824, 763–1296, 825–1296, 869–1286, 869–1296, 870–1296, 958–1636, 1046–1625, 1049–1527, 1063–1697, 1098–1689, 1103–1299, 1103–1774, 1133–1736, 1250–1743, 1250–1768, 1250–1840, 1312–1857, 1376–1857, 1416–1857, 1426–1857, 1429–1857, 1496–2036, 1508–1998, 1515–2107, 1554–2211, 1635–2249, 1713–2241, 1716–2315, 1728–2380, 1775–2322, 1796–2438, 1809–2049, 2006–5055, 2020–2679, 2029–2385, 2056–2732, 2069–2702, 2107–2752, 2186–2443, 2196–2638, 2231–2580, 2232–2698, 2271–2775, 2287–2580, 2302–2741, 2335–2806, 2407–2857, 2409–2669, 2432–2980, 2796–2997, 2799–2997, 2810–3016, 2824–2994, 2950–3400, 3029–3604, 3029–3684, 3064–3648, 3100–3372, 3139–3684, 3186–3766, 3194–3457, 3212–3473, 3219–3456, 3228–3737, 3234–3704, 3236–3485, 3236–3719, 3245–3503, 3273–3839, 3273–3887, 3295–3689, 3317–3583, 3317–3604, 3317–3939, 3341–3634, 3351–3979, 3357–3615, 3375–3621, 3396–3971, 3428–4081, 3454–4092, 3475–4060, 3479–4086, 3488–4156, 3491–3759, 3511–3828, 3511–3977, 3540–3825, 3540–3985, 3540–4047, 3548–3834, 3550–4216, 3580–3916, 3590–3928, 3599–4202, 3611–4211, 3627–4351, 3629–4099, 3629–4339, 3630–3907, 3630–4382, 3634–4382, 3641–4215, 3645–3920, 3649–3932, 3649–3933, 3650–3889, 3651–3904, 3654–4181, 3654–4215, 3660–4212, 3662–4080, 3664–4226, 3667–4162, 3667–4210, 3672–4212, 3675–4215, 3683–4211, 3693–4230, 3704–4211, 3706–4173, 3712–4215, 3728–4215, 3729–4215, 3730–4214, 3735–4214, 3737–4112, 3748–4213, 3752–4575, 3755–4025, 3766–4216, 3770–4382, 3771–4382, 3774–4215, 3776–4192, 3781–4216, 3782–4215, 3784–4215, 3786–4023, 3786–4216, 3791–4211, 3795–4211, 3796–4215, 3796–4216, 3805–4090, 3805–4164, 3807–4164, 3808–4215, 3809–4197, 3810–4144, 3817–4215, 3821–4112, 3821–4152, 3833–4162, 3835–4084, 3843–4103, 3850–4145, 3852–4205, 3852–4215, 3854–4442, 3858–4165, 3863–4121, 3876–4442, 3884–4139, 3885–4382, 3888–4216, 3905–4380, 3941–4382, 3947–4215, 4013–4562, 4081–4243, 4171–4645, 4178–4610, 4194–4692, 4194–4697, 4194–4698, 4194–4699, 4194–4749, 4194–4780, 4194–4904, 4194–4933, 4207–4496, 4208–4470, 4208–4486, 4208–4492, 4208–4493, 4208–4496, 4208–4525, 4208–4644, 4208–4680, 4208–4683, 4208–4687, 4208–4691, 4208–4694, 4208–4702, 4208–4707, 4210–4526, 4211–4496, 4211–4680, 4215–4496, 4216–4496, 4217–4480, 4222–4496, 4241–4382, 4241–4496, 4243–4629, 4252–4612, 4257–4522, 4257–4534, 4257–4541, 4257–4542, 4257–4545, 4257–4562, 4291–4707, 4292–4575, 4298–4605, 4298–4771, 4304–4549, 4304–4659, 4304–4837, 4310–4709, 4310–4711, 4323–4580, 4342–5179, 4363–4639, 4363–5016, 4364–4642, 4364–4916, 4383–4647, 4399–4664, 4410–4663, 4410–4670, 4422–4681, 4429–4677, 4439–4715, 4442–5010, 4452–4699, 4453–5005, 4454–5025, 4484–5200, 4495–4669, 4495–4686, 4495–4691, 4495–4696, 4495–4697, 4496–4762, 4500–5187, 4502–5200, 4510–4749, 4511–4768, 4517–5200, 4521–5200, 4530–5185, 4537–5200, 4551–5183, 4575–4860, 4588–4844, 4591–4866, 4598–5157, 4605–5200, 4619–5197, 4626–5200, 4637–4904, 4647–5200, 4666–5190, 4679–5191, 4682–5200, 4701–5200, 4703–4958, 4707–4961, 4716–4959, 4716–4999, 4719–4946, 4725–4965, 4732–4999, 4736–5021, 4738–4989, 4753–5200, 4757–5013, 4758–5200, 4780–5200, 4794–5200, 4797–5200, 4799–5192, 4806–5135, 4808–5108, 4815–4988, 4819–5088, 4842–5200, 4844–5200, 4848–5200, 4853–5200, 4854–5200, 4858–5200, 4859–5200, 4893–5200, 4904–5200, 4909–5200, 4928–5200, 4945–5200, 4946–5200, 4950–5200, 4956–5200, 4971–5200, 4972–5200, 4973–5200, 4976–5200, 4979–5200, 4980–5178, 4980–5199, 4980–5200, 4984–5200, 4985–5200, 4986–5200, 4989–5200, 4994–5200, 4996–5200, 4998–5200, 5007–5200, 5008–5200, 5010–5200, 5011–5200, 5017–5200, 5028–5200, 5033–5200, 5034–5200, 5046–5200, 5053–5200, 5055–5200, 5093–5200, 5154–5200 22/4622229CB1/ 1–300, 1–484, 24–275, 101–700, 299–820, 301–964, 315–925, 414–1033, 419–994, 516–1036, 612–884, 764–1443, 792–1443, 4330 978–1595, 992–1545, 999–1687, 1037–1301, 1192–1430, 1216–1495, 1222–1799, 1279–1779, 1357–1615, 1428–1746, 1429–1793, 1464–1655, 1464–1684, 1495–1880, 1529–2265, 1575–2005, 1629–2219, 1678–1992, 1714–2170, 1744–2317, 1819–1946, 1912–2384, 1933–2610, 1940–2459, 1960–2540, 1968–2426, 2009–2522, 2055–2660, 2100–2591, 2116–2640, 2131–2638, 2138–2479, 2149–2475, 2152–2750, 2153–2822, 2157–2700, 2191–2517, 2285–2439, 2301–2559, 2306–2520, 2307–2542, 2378–2872, 2411–2699, 2443–2997, 2533–3044, 2546–2787, 2546–3136, 2689–2945, 2709–2985, 2733–3001, 2734–2972, 2734–3009, 2843–3050, 2918–3155, 2918–3182, 2918–3201, 2918–3214, 2918–3218, 2930–3512, 2937–3238, 2997–3246, 3003–3135, 3004–3532, 3019–3269, 3046–3295, 3058–3348, 3107–3358, 3114–3383, 3148–3416, 3236–3489, 3251–3489, 3251–3682, 3251–3802, 3275–3534, 3276–3517, 3282–3554, 3282–3557, 3294–3562, 3319–3572, 3340–3600, 3376–3644, 3387–3675, 3424–3662, 3450–3715, 3505–3728, 3524–3759, 3542–3825, 3552–4117, 3580–4260, 3590–4105, 3605–3731, 3607–3859, 3625–4321, 3634–4156, 3645–3871, 3645–4133, 3672–4313, 3677–4295, 3678–3918, 3684–3945, 3684–4124, 3694–4321, 3709–4317, 3715–4290, 3718–4311, 3733–4151, 3755–3919, 3786–4041, 3786–4044, 3786–4064, 3786–4255, 3786–4313, 3787–4076, 3791–4317, 3811–4329, 3814–4214, 3838–4082, 3839–4051, 3848–4100, 3848–4329, 3852–4315, 3853–4330, 3861–4328, 3877–4133, 3877–4134, 3877–4141, 3877–4330, 3879–4230, 3883–4329, 3885–4300, 3885–4329, 3886–4132, 3887–4329, 3888–4330, 3889–4328, 3890–4271, 3890–4329, 3898–4316, 3899–4330, 3901–4329, 3903–4321, 3903–4328, 3906–4329, 3907–4330, 3909–4330, 3910–4329, 3913–4330, 3914–4324, 3916–4247, 3916–4300, 3916–4328, 3916–4330, 3923–4329, 3923–4330, 3936–4051, 3936–4327, 3936–4330, 3940–4328, 3944–4329, 3965–4328, 3967–4203, 3990–4329, 3998–4329, 3999–4329, 4001–4329, 4010–4230, 4013–4330, 4026–4230, 4027–4230, 4027–4330, 4028–4328, 4030–4230, 4031–4230, 4031–4330, 4052–4229, 4052–4230, 4053–4328, 4053–4330, 4056–4329, 4061–4327, 4062–4329, 4066–4218, 4067–4329, 4068–4279, 4069–4330, 4082–4197, 4099–4328, 4099–4329, 4100–4330, 4109–4249, 4113–4329, 4156–4328 23/72358203CB1/ 1–557, 1–886, 238–885, 550–724, 718–1202, 726–885, 726–886, 736–1198, 774–885, 774–1041, 774–1145, 774–1200, 905–1196, 2851 927–1169, 928–1431, 931–1516, 942–1251, 942–1347, 949–1235, 980–1452, 997–1452, 1002–1259, 1021–1312, 1038–1324, 1042–1522, 1049–1452, 1073–1452, 1085–1259, 1114–1319, 1114–1659, 1142–1259, 1157–1259, 1158–1259, 1174–1259, 1190–1463, 1190–1647, 1210–1295, 1238–1531, 1250–1496, 1259–1428, 1259–1457, 1259–1483, 1259–1538, 1261–1538, 1275–1573, 1290–1896, 1292–1587, 1372–1853, 1437–1689, 1440–1699, 1445–2001, 1446–1717, 1456–1483, 1456–1576, 1456–1603, 1461–1483, 1470–1719, 1470–2068, 1472–1673, 1472–2034, 1478–1711, 1512–1797, 1530–1661, 1533–1736, 1544–1786, 1575–1603, 1609–1898, 1669–2000, 1712–1983, 1732–1877, 1774–1894, 1793–1981, 1793–2297, 1838–2104, 1840–2189, 1843–2639, 1852–2120, 1869–2773, 1888–2221, 1890–2496, 1892–2624, 1904–2510, 1909–2108, 1909–2133, 1911–2454, 1929–2096, 1929–2544, 1941–2198, 1941–2624, 1942–2226, 1943–2214, 1945–2632, 1961–2628, 1966–2208, 1971–2227, 1975–2058, 1984–2068, 1987–2319, 1997–2287, 1997–2291, 1999–2469, 2002–2577, 2004–2799, 2032–2673, 2053–2544, 2063–2239, 2075–2109, 2110–2605, 2111–2639, 2117–2687, 2131–2751, 2132–2808, 2140–2481, 2144–2741, 2146–2695, 2156–2359, 2176–2469, 2184–2816, 2188–2687, 2201–2453, 2202–2815, 2205–2683, 2208–2682, 2209–2764, 2211–2834, 2215–2575, 2215–2771, 2227–2784, 2228–2795, 2228–2844, 2229–2626, 2231–2551, 2232–2632, 2245–2499, 2250–2814, 2272–2725, 2272–2757, 2275–2829, 2282–2532, 2282–2580, 2282–2738, 2282–2815, 2282–2839, 2283–2587, 2295–2742, 2305–2562, 2305–2669, 2310–2552, 2315–2704, 2319–2550, 2324–2565, 2331–2824, 2337–2851, 2354–2601, 2355–2533, 2356–2851, 2360–2779, 2368–2824, 2372–2826, 2373–2824, 2374–2822, 2375–2684, 2376–2830, 2378–2626, 2379–2831, 2381–2824, 2386–2824, 2388–2824, 2395–2828, 2399–2771, 2402–2824, 2402–2833, 2406–2828, 2418–2818, 2418–2829, 2427–2702, 2432–2710, 2437–2700, 2452–2824 24/4885040CB1/ 1–426, 20–113, 361–537, 410–605, 410–773, 410–832, 410–894, 410–915, 410–919, 410–983, 410–988, 410–1030, 420–1060, 2361 430–819, 458–848, 488–1093, 682–1293, 728–1328, 735–1165, 753–1063, 985–1072, 986–1601, 1132–1757, 1191–1641, 1201–1845, 1202–1733, 1241–1721, 1313–1857, 1378–1619, 1378–1874, 1384–1943, 1432–1895, 1522–1797, 1610–1902, 1722–2311, 1745–2323, 1792–2222, 1794–2184, 1797–2036, 1810–2061, 1812–2139, 1816–2361, 1833–2352, 1871–2361, 1903–2361 25/7484507CB1/ 1–262, 10–408, 16–408, 76–325, 93–408, 109–285, 109–290, 109–293, 109–323, 109–537, 109–541, 109–548, 109–582, 109–590, 2285 110–281, 110–285, 110–290, 112–281, 112–285, 112–544, 119–590, 414–777, 414–2004, 499–590, 526–590, 776–1001, 776–1060, 906–1060, 913–1060, 953–1060, 967–1060, 1408–1964, 1409–2045, 1410–1946, 1413–1949, 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1641–2392, 1644–2397, 1646–2010, 1647–2108, 1647–2112, 1647–2396, 1665–2396, 1692–2187, 1701–2166, 1701–2289, 1701–2369, 1708–2112, 1708–2397, 1732–1889, 1732–1985, 1732–2112, 1781–2392, 1787–2610, 1790–2146, 1792–2146, 1794–2122, 1794–2228, 1817–2527, 1822–2201, 1839–2396, 1840–2396, 1843–2495, 1844–2504, 1856–2610, 1873–2610, 1964–2497, 1984–2497, 1984–2609, 1984–2610, 1987–2610, 2007–2497, 2015–2497, 2021–2532, 2044–2745, 2047–2738, 2065–2737, 2074–2497, 2096–2567, 2096–2589, 2096–2710, 2096–2729, 2096–2736, 2096–2769, 2114–2745, 2150–2793, 2153–2787, 2162–2883, 2175–2787, 2189–2810, 2225–2497, 2240–2883, 2247–2802, 2300–2979, 2315–2979, 2332–2962, 2332–2972, 2332–2975, 2332–2981, 2349–3040, 2363–2890, 2365–2802, 2390–2890, 2430–2890, 2431–2832, 2431–2862, 2431–2865, 2431–2877, 2431–2912, 2431–2917, 2431–2934, 2431–2946, 2431–2954, 2431–2961, 2431–2963, 2431–2964, 2431–2983, 2431–3012, 2431–3019, 2431–3021, 2431–3032, 2431–3036, 2431–3042, 2431–3043, 2431–3077, 2431–3081, 2431–3088, 2431–3092, 2431–3096, 2431–3105, 2431–3106, 2431–3112, 2431–3114, 2431–3135, 2431–3138, 2431–3150, 2431–3166, 2431–3213, 2431–3220, 2431–3247, 2432–3129, 2433–3018, 2433–3077, 2439–3016, 2440–3277, 2443–3272, 2452–3232, 2464–2564, 2467–3211, 2471–3331, 2481–3204, 2528–3084, 2534–3050, 2543–3140, 2545–3409, 2547–3003, 2551–2573, 2577–3158, 2578–3261, 2578–3325, 2603–3141, 2609–3435, 2625–3296, 2638–3102, 2642–3100, 2642–3304, 2644–3201, 2652–3310, 2661–3353, 2668–3243, 2697–3281, 2697–3412, 2700–3249, 2702–3295, 2713–3316, 2731–3243, 2731–3431, 2750–3502, 2757–3318, 2765–3299, 2768–3508, 2769–3435, 2771–3268, 2782–3326, 2784–3347, 2787–3461, 2798–3326, 2811–3703, 2818–3441, 2820–3277, 2832–3592, 2847–3563, 2850–3410, 2860–3442, 2861–3438, 2869–3445, 2882–3578, 2882–3608, 2882–3703, 2885–3558, 2909–3493, 2920–3505, 2922–3698, 2926–3505, 2928–3490, 2951–3452, 2952–3591, 2952–3742, 2954–3623, 2956–3537, 2960–3510, 2964–3516, 2965–3591, 2972–3426, 2972–3532, 2980–3528, 2989–3682, 2990–3583, 2993–3728, 2994–3764, 2995–3755, 2997–3776, 3006–3605, 3007–3587, 3014–3621, 3016–3624, 3031–3532, 3032–3547, 3062–3716, 3075–3396, 3075–3431, 3075–3437, 3075–3442, 3075–3479, 3075–3483, 3075–3587, 3075–3626, 3075–3645, 3082–3637, 3088–3691, 3091–3706, 3114–3754, 3140–3731, 3169–3692, 3185–3851, 3200–3768, 3219–3947, 3219–4035, 3232–3868, 3255–3926, 3276–4111, 3277–3854, 3280–3926, 3297–3948, 3303–3926, 3323–4150, 3334–4100, 3343–4047, 3373–4075, 3382–4047, 3391–4236, 3401–4234, 3405–4041, 3411–4036, 3412–3983, 3428–4086, 3430–4247, 3445–4047, 3467–4160, 3471–3963, 3476–3989, 3478–4056, 3480–3961, 3493–3965, 3508–4217, 3520–3991, 3534–4200, 3534–4290, 3538–3979, 3540–4209, 3551–4070, 3565–4249, 3580–4090, 3592–4072, 3606–3966, 3611–4118, 3616–4234, 3655–4315, 3672–4200, 3680–4207, 3696–4087, 3720–4228, 3738–4416, 3747–4169, 3756–4199, 3760–4279, 3783–4480, 3802–4277, 3805–4418, 3807–4313, 3834–4419, 3886–4224, 3896–4447, 3900–4480, 3907–4476, 3911–4480 37/7482044CB1/ 1–246, 1–460, 1–559, 1–669, 325–710, 385–719, 388–719, 456–716, 456–732, 456–1068, 516–719, 516–723, 549–719, 549–723, 4415 587–1072, 643–1258, 686–1270, 716–1264, 805–1055, 805–1344, 805–1347, 805–1444, 805–1581, 864–1495, 960–1613, 993–1519, 1268–1816, 1305–2012, 1338–2003, 1438–1929, 1438–1980, 1438–1991, 1589–2102, 1864–2232, 1891–2477, 2015–2237, 2015–2667, 2079–2518, 2237–2516, 2237–2528, 2237–2529, 2237–2554, 2237–2560, 2237–2563, 2237–2564, 2237–2571, 2237–2574, 2237–2575, 2237–2604, 2237–2605, 2237–2624, 2237–2653, 2237–2678, 2237–2688, 2237–2693, 2237–2701, 2237–2717, 2237–2720, 2237–2730, 2237–2745, 2237–2753, 2237–2758, 2237–2770, 2237–2795, 2237–2803, 2237–2818, 2240–2510, 2240–2520, 2241–2688, 2241–2833, 2287–2863, 2290–2809, 2350–2846, 2404–2763, 2489–3189, 2513–3099, 2550–3188, 2589–2818, 2594–3281, 2604–2867, 2604–2886, 2604–2914, 2610–3232, 2612–2883, 2635–2886, 2644–3093, 2662–3238, 2701–3162, 2728–3227, 2772–3374, 2867–3472, 2889–3227, 2892–3628, 2905–3716, 2931–3606, 2937–3675, 2937–3699, 2947–3625, 2968–3645, 2990–3796, 2998–3725, 3010–3612, 3015–3648, 3023–3708, 3030–3516, 3031–3669, 3070–3653, 3083–3684, 3090–3797, 3136–3695, 3141–3768, 3165–3655, 3185–3727, 3187–4006, 3204–3852, 3204–3861, 3204–3877, 3204–3887, 3210–3861, 3212–3890, 3213–3856, 3220–3899, 3222–3695, 3226–3984, 3227–3889, 3256–3794, 3260–3715, 3265–4018, 3269–3986, 3274–3987, 3277–3817, 3277–3877, 3285–3878, 3304–3996, 3306–4011, 3316–3855, 3320–3914, 3334–3898, 3340–3900, 3343–3911, 3346–3727, 3348–4071, 3349–3995, 3367–3896, 3391–3916, 3393–3990, 3400–4086, 3425–3958, 3441–3947, 3479–4168, 3489–3990, 3494–4035, 3497–4105, 3504–4086, 3504–4096, 3515–4172, 3516–4172, 3517–3797, 3537–4145, 3539–4255, 3540–3943, 3540–3984, 3542–4171, 3542–4172, 3549–4348, 3562–4019, 3565–4153, 3583–4352, 3585–4122, 3585–4150, 3648–3995, 3653–4413, 3657–3981, 3667–4383, 3668–4327, 3677–4182, 3678–3995, 3711–4087, 3732–4286, 3738–4414, 3739–4354, 3740–4377, 3746–4398, 3746–4415, 3750–4392, 3776–3842, 3779–4415, 3808–4415, 3856–4415, 3863–4415, 3865–4415, 3895–4415, 3908–4415, 3917–4415, 3925–4415, 3972–4415 38/7476595CB1/ 1–829, 191–944, 191–950, 191–959, 191–964, 191–971, 192–488, 193–488, 223–488, 234–999, 244–488, 319–999, 398–999, 6306 683–1074, 796–961, 796–1063, 961–6306, 962–1186, 1064–1186, 1064–1299, 1187–1299 39/71824382CB1/ 1–525, 1–532, 188–467, 221–432, 266–533, 403–563, 435–718, 501–740, 585–1133, 594–876, 758–1034, 791–1005, 793–1247, 7151 799–1047, 809–1248, 899–1172, 947–1206, 1077–1708, 1097–1737, 1172–1542, 1172–1583, 1260–1448, 1260–1748, 1283–1763, 1289–1744, 1309–1751, 1320–1744, 1341–1742, 1346–1706, 1385–1749, 1428–2103, 1457–1763, 1511–2109, 1530–2109, 1595–2109, 1612–1752, 1655–2102, 1655–2109, 1739–2109, 1924–2368, 1941–2109, 1946–2109, 1974–2526, 1979–2366, 1979–2642, 1980–2534, 2039–2274, 2039–2319, 2039–2536, 2039–2644, 2043–2109, 2148–2316, 2148–2335, 2148–2484, 2148–2542, 2148–2579, 2148–2588, 2148–2649, 2148–2753, 2148–2757, 2151–2757, 2156–2306, 2168–2413, 2202–2278, 2242–2889, 2243–2917, 2253–2609, 2284–2829, 2288–2829, 2326–2589, 2326–2934, 2326–2959, 2326–2975, 2388–3083, 2398–2526, 2445–2757, 2447–2757, 2503–3181, 2576–3079, 2581–2757, 2630–2740, 2634–3079, 2658–3181, 2704–2909, 2977–3181, 3102–3691, 3102–3769, 3104–3769, 3126–3181, 3333–3941, 3415–3943, 3452–3911, 3616–3912, 3616–4100, 3634–4171, 3634–4205, 3693–4292, 3890–4478, 3976–4399, 3976–4654, 4023–4452, 4090–4498, 4156–4417, 4202–4705, 4254–4915, 4254–4945, 4303–4705, 4431–4984, 4513–5252, 4548–5253, 4613–4854, 4822–5203, 4885–5133, 4901–5173, 4901–5554, 4905–5581, 4968–5531, 4980–5438, 5006–5562, 5022–5182, 5028–5697, 5044–5663, 5061–5737, 5063–5562, 5064–5562, 5125–5430, 5154–5300, 5225–5505, 5293–5602, 5332–5781, 5335–5590, 5397–5697, 5409–5913, 5453–5715, 5507–5701, 5518–6120, 5569–6181, 5647–6231, 5667–6078, 5716–5948, 5806–6163, 5906–6157, 5906–6536, 6047–6292, 6147–6420, 6175–6590, 6176–6467, 6238–6447, 6238–7024, 6254–6429, 6269–6560, 6284–6600, 6397–6655, 6397–6973, 6423–7036, 6471–6717, 6497–7118, 6497–7125, 6521–7122, 6629–7087, 6643–6908, 6657–7116, 6820–7062, 6820–7124, 6820–7151, 6829–7077, 6838–7069, 6901–7136 40/3566882CB1/ 1–219, 54–238, 54–571, 517–1197, 517–1241, 695–1241, 757–2216, 1241–1477, 1241–1534, 1241–1706, 1241–1779, 1241–1810, 2378 1241–1812, 1241–1835, 1241–1846, 1241–1864, 1241–1873, 1242–1794, 1347–2004, 1372–1910, 1376–1881, 1488–1808, 1519–2155, 1542–2088, 1573–2221, 1576–2112, 1615–2026, 1618–2182, 1624–2139, 1641–2155, 1645–2316, 1652–2139, 1711–2218, 1717–1968, 1767–2370, 1785–2378, 1826–2367, 1844–2258, 1928–2143, 2032–2202, 2036–2206, 2304–2361

TABLE 5 Polynucleotide Incyte Representative SEQ ID NO: Project ID: Library 21 4615110CB1 BRAYDIN03 22 4622229CB1 BRAINON01 23 72358203CB1 BRAITUT03 24 4885040CB1 ENDANOT01 25 7484507CB1 BRAIFEN08 26 7198931CB1 SYNORAB01 27 7482905CB1 BMARTXE01 28 7483019CB1 BMARTXT02 29 5455490CB1 HNT2AGT01 30 5547067CB1 BRAIFEE05 31 71675660CB1 TESTNOT17 32 71678683CB1 TESTNOT17 33 7474567CB1 UCMCNOT02 34 3838946CB1 NOSEDIN01 35 72001176CB1 THP1NOT03 36 55064363CB1 BRAIFET02 37 7482044CB1 BRAUNOR01 39 71824382CB1 BRABDIR01 40 3566882CB1 LUNLTUE02

TABLE 6 Library Vector Library Description BMARTXE01 pINCY This 5′ biased random primed library was constructed using RNA isolated from treated SH-SY5Y cells derived from a metastatic bone marrow neuroblastoma, removed from a 4-year-old Caucasian female (Schering AG). The medium was MEM/HAM'S F12 with 10% fetal calf serum. After reaching about 80% confluency cells were treated with 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at 100 microM for 8 hours. BMARTXT02 pINCY Library was constructed using RNA isolated from treated SH-SY5Y cell line derived from bone marrow neuroblastoma tumor cells removed from a 4-year-old Caucasian female. The cells were cultured in the presence of retinoic acid. BRABDIR01 pINCY Library was constructed using RNA isolated from diseased cerebellum tissue removed from the brain of a 57-year-old Caucasian male, who died from a cerebrovascular accident. Patient history included Huntington's disease, emphysema, and tobacco abuse. BRAIFEE05 PCDNA2.1 This 5′ biased random primed library was constructed using RNA isolated from brain tissue removed from a Caucasian male fetus who was stillborn with a hypoplastic left heart at 23 weeks' gestation. BRAIFEN08 pINCY This normalized fetal brain tissue library was constructed from 400 thousand independent clones from a fetal brain tissue library. Starting RNA was made from brain tissue removed from a Caucasian male fetus who was stillborn with a hypoplastic left heart at 23 weeks' gestation. The library was normalized in 2 rounds using conditions adapted from Soares et al., PNAS (1994) 91: 9228 and Bonaldo et al., Genome Research (1996) 6: 791, except that a significantly longer (48 hours/round) reannealing hybridization was used. BRAIFET02 pINCY Library was constructed using RNA isolated from brain tissue removed from a Caucasian male fetus, who was stillborn with a hypoplastic left heart at 23 weeks' gestation. BRAINON01 PSPORT1 Library was constructed and normalized from 4.88 million independent clones from the BRAINOT03 library. RNA was made from brain tissue removed from a 26-year-old Caucasian male during cranioplasty and excision of a cerebral meningeal lesion. Pathology for the associated tumor tissue indicated a grade 4 oligoastrocytoma in the right fronto-parietal part of the brain. BRAITUT03 PSPORT1 Library was constructed using RNA isolated from brain tumor tissue removed from the left frontal lobe of a 17-year-old Caucasian female during excision of a cerebral meningeal lesion. Pathology indicated a grade 4 fibrillary giant and small-cell astrocytoma. Family history included benign hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. BRAUNOR01 pINCY This random primed library was constructed using RNA isolated from striatum, globus pallidus and posterior putamen tissue removed from an 81-year-old Caucasian female who died from a hemorrhage and ruptured thoracic aorta due to atherosclerosis. Pathology indicated moderate atherosclerosis involving the internal carotids, bilaterally; microscopic infarcts of the frontal cortex and hippocampus; and scattered diffuse amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, consistent with age. Grossly, the leptomeninges showed only mild thickening and hyalinization along the superior sagittal sinus. The remainder of the leptomeninges was thin and contained some congested blood vessels. Mild atrophy was found mostly in the frontal poles and lobes, and temporal lobes, bilaterally. Microscopically, there were pairs of Alzheimer type II astrocytes within the deep layers of the neocortex. There was increased satellitosis around neurons in the deep gray matter in the middle frontal cortex. The amygdala contained rare diffuse plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The posterior hippocampus contained a microscopic area of cystic cavitation with hemosiderin laden macrophages surrounded by reactive gliosis. Patient history included sepsis, cholangitis, post-operative atelectasis, pneumonia CAD, cardiomegaly due to left ventricular hypertrophy, splenomegaly, arteriolonephrosclerosis, nodular colloidal goiter, emphysema, CHF, hypothyroidism, and peripheral vascular disease. BRAYDIN03 pINCY This normalized library was constructed from 6.7 million independent clones from a brain tissue library. Starting RNA was made from RNA isolated from diseased hypothalamus tissue removed from a 57-year-old Caucasian male who died from a cerebrovascular accident. Patient history included Huntington's disease and emphysema. The library was normalized in 2 rounds using conditions adapted from Soares et al., PNAS (1994) 91: 9228 and Bonaldo et al., Genome Research (1996) 6: 791, except that a significantly longer (48-hours/round) reannealing hybridization was used. The library was linearized and recircularized to select for insert containing clones. ENDANOT01 PBLUESCRIPT Library was constructed using RNA isolated from aortic endothelial cell tissue from an explanted heart removed from a male during a heart transplant. HNT2AGT01 PBLUESCRIPT Library was constructed at Stratagene (STR937233), using RNA isolated from the hNT2 cell line derived from a human teratocarcinoma that exhibited properties characteristic of a committed neuronal precursor. Cells were treated with retinoic acid for 5 weeks and with mitotic inhibitors for two weeks and allowed to mature for an additional 4 weeks in conditioned medium. LUNLTUE02 PCDNA2.1 This 5′ biased random primed library was constructed using RNA isolated from left upper lobe lung tumor tissue removed from a 56-year-old Caucasian male during complete pneumonectomy, pericardectomy and regional lymph node excision. Pathology indicated grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma forming a mass in the left upper lobe centrally. The tumor extended through pleura into adjacent pericardium. Patient history included hemoptysis and tobacco abuse. Family history included benign hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in the mother; prostate cancer in the father; and type II diabetes in the sibling(s). NOSEDIN01 pINCY This normalized nasal polyp tissue library was constructed from 1.08 million independent clones from a pooled nasal polyp tissue library. Starting RNA was made from pooled cDNA from two donors. cDNA was generated using mRNA isolated from a nasal polyp removed from a 78-year-old Caucasian male during nasal polypectomy (donor A) and from nasal polyps from another donor (donor B). Pathology (A) indicated a nasal polyp and striking eosinophilia, especially deep in the epithelium. In many instances, eosinophils were undergoing frank necrosis with striking deposition of Charcot-Leyden crystals. Foci of eosinophil infiltration in small islands of cells were seen in certain areas, and those areas closer to the appearance surface were losing definition and evidently undergoing necrosis. Examination of respiratory epithelium showed loss of surface epithelium in many areas, and there was a tendency for cells to aggregate around the epithelium. This nasal polyp showed typical histology for polypoid change associated with allergic disease. Patient history included asthma, allergy tests (which were positive for histamine but negative for common substances), a pulmonary function test (PFT, which showed reduction in the forced expiratory volume (FEV), with increase after use of a bronchodilator), and nasal polyps. Patient history (A) included asthma. Previous surgery (A) included a nasal polypectomy. The patient was not using glucocorticoids in treatment for asthma. The library was normalized in 1 round using conditions adapted from Soares et al., PNAS (1994) 91: 9228–9232 and Bonaldo et al., Genome Research 6 (1996): 791, except that a significantly longer (48 hours/round) reannealing hybridization was used. SYNORAB01 PBLUESCRIPT Library was constructed using RNA isolated from the synovial membrane tissue of a 68-year-old Caucasian female with rheumatoid arthritis. TESTNOT17 pINCY Library was constructed from testis tissue removed from a 26-year-old Caucasian male who died from head trauma due to a motor vehicle accident. Serologies were negative. Patient history included a hernia at birth, tobacco use (1 1/2 ppd), marijuana use, and daily alcohol use (beer and hard liquor). THP1NOT03 pINCY Library was constructed using RNA isolated from untreated THP-1 cells. THP-1 is a human promonocyte line derived from the peripheral blood of a 1-year-old Caucasian male with acute monocytic leukemia (ref. int. j. Cancer (1980) 26: 171) UCMCNOT02 pINCY Library was constructed using RNA isolated from mononuclear cells obtained from the umbilical cord blood of nine individuals.

TABLE 7 Program Description Reference Parameter Threshold ABI A program that removes vector sequences and Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA. FACTURA masks ambiguous bases in nucleic acid sequences. ABI/ A Fast Data Finder useful in comparing and Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA; Mismatch < 50% PARACEL annotating amino acid or nucleic acid sequences. Paracel Inc., Pasadena, CA. FDF ABI Auto- A program that assembles nucleic acid sequences. Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA. Assembler BLAST A Basic Local Alignment Search Tool useful in Altschul, S. F. et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. ESTs: Probability value = sequence similarity search for amino acid and 215: 403–410; Altschul, S. F. et al. (1997) 1.0E−8 or less nucleic acid sequences. BLAST includes five Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3389–3402. Full Length sequences: functions: blastp, blastn, blastx, tblastn, and tblastx. Probability value = 1.0E−10 or less FASTA A Pearson and Lipman algorithm that searches for Pearson, W. R. and D. J. Lipman (1988) Proc. ESTs: fasta E value = similarity between a query sequence and a group of Natl. Acad Sci. USA 85: 2444–2448; Pearson, 1.06E−6 Assembled ESTs: sequences of the same type. FASTA comprises as W. R. (1990) Methods Enzymol. 183: 63–98; fasta Identity = 95% or least five functions: fasta, tfasta, fastx, tfastx, and and Smith, T. F. and M. S. Waterman (1981) greater and Match length = ssearch. Adv. Appl. Math. 2: 482–489. 200 bases or greater; fastx E value = 1.0E−8 or less Full Length sequences: fastx score = 100 or greater BLIMPS A BLocks IMProved Searcher that matches a Henikoff, S. and J. G. Henikoff (1991) Nucleic Probability value = 1.0E−3 sequence against those in BLOCKS, PRINTS, Acids Res. 19: 6565–6572; Henikoff, J. G. and or less DOMO, PRODOM, and PFAM databases to search S. Henikoff (1996) Methods Enzymol. for gene families, sequence homology, and 266: 88–105; and Attwood, T. K. et al. (1997) structural fingerprint regions. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci. 37: 417–424. HMMER An algorithm for searching a query sequence against Krogh, A. et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. PFAM hits: Probability hidden Markov model (HMM)-based databases of 235: 1501–1531; Sonnhammer, E. L. L. et al. value = 1.0E−3 or less protein family consensus sequences, such as PFAM. (1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 26: 320–322; Signal peptide hits: Score = 0 Durbin, R. et al. (1998) Our World View, in a or greater Nutshell, Cambridge Univ. Press, pp. 1–350. ProfileScan An algorithm that searches for structural and sequence Gribskov, M. et al. (1988) CABIOS 4: 61–66; Normalized quality score ≧ motifs in protein sequences that match sequence patterns Gribskov, M. et al. (1989) Methods Enzymol. GCG-specified “HIGH” value defined in Prosite. 183: 146–159; Bairoch, A. et al. (1997) for that particular Prosite Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 217–221. motif. Generally, score = 1.4–2.1. Phred A base-calling algorithm that examines automated Ewing, B. et al. (1998) Genome Res. sequencer traces with high sensitivity and probability. 8: 175–185; Ewing, B. and P. Green (1998) Genome Res. 8: 186–194. Phrap A Phils Revised Assembly Program including SWAT and Smith, T. F. and M. S. Waterman (1981) Adv. Score = 120 or greater; CrossMatch, programs based on efficient implementation Appl. Math. 2: 482–489; Smith, T. F. and M. Match length = 56 or greater of the Smith-Waterman algorithm, useful in searching S. Waterman (1981) J. Mol. Biol. 147: 195– sequence homology and assembling DNA sequences. 197; and Green, P., University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Consed A graphical tool for viewing and editing Phrap Gordon, D. et al. (1998) Genome Res. 8: assemblies. 195–202. SPScan A weight matrix analysis program that scans protein Nielson, H. et al. (1997) Protein Engineering Score = 3.5 or greater sequences for the presence of secretory signal peptides. 10: 1–6; Claverie, J. M. and S. Audic (1997) CABIOS 12: 431–439. TMAP A program that uses weight matrices to delineate Persson, B. and P. Argos (1994) J. Mol. Biol. transmembrane segments on protein sequences and 237: 182–192; Persson, B. and P. Argos (1996) determine orientation. Protein Sci. 5: 363–371. TMHMMER A program that uses a hidden Markov model (HMM) to Sonnhammer, E. L. et al. (1998) Proc. Sixth delineate transmembrane segments on protein sequences Intl. Conf. on Intelligent Systems for Mol. and determine orientation. Biol., Glasgow et al., eds., The Am. Assoc. for Artificial Intelligence Press, Menlo Park, CA, pp. 175–182. Motifs A program that searches amino acid sequences for Bairoch, A. et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. patterns that matched those defined in Prosite. 25: 217–221; Wisconsin Package Program Manual, version 9, page M51–59, Genetics Computer Group, Madison, WI. 

1. An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 2. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
 3. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 4. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 3 encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
 5. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 4 comprising a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.
 6. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to the polynucleotide of claim
 3. 7. An isolated cell transformed with the recombinant polynucleotide of claim
 6. 8. A method of producing the polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide, and said recombinant polynucleotide comprise a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of claim 1, and b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
 10. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, b) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has protein phosphatase 2C activity, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)–d).
 11. A composition comprising the polypeptide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
 13. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 96% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 14. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 97% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 15. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 98% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 16. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1, comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 99% sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the polypeptide has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 17. The isolated polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is a human polypeptide.
 18. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 10, comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least about 96% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 19. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 10, comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least about 97% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 20. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 10, comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least about 98% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, wherein thepolynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 21. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 10, comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least about 99% sequence identity to a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has protein phosphatase 2C activity.
 22. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 10, wherein the polynucleotide is a human polynucleotide. 